Are your habits hampering your progress?

As humans some 90% of what we do all day is down to habits, we simply run through the same program in our minds to complete the same tasks. It works because we get stuff done, like feed ourselves, driving to work, replying to emails and making dinner… but does it really contribute to our growth? Does it allow us to see the beauty in life? Does it make us better?

The reason I share this with you is a funny story really. This morning I decided to use the gym in town while Sarah used the home gym. Just before I left, I popped in to say goodbye. Now the home gym requires you to go out the back door and into the second garage via an outside door.
Just as I said goodbye to Sarah, she gave me one clear instruction; “don’t lock the back door to the house”. Essential ‘don’t lock me out.’
I said of course I wouldn’t, I went back in but just as I did, the dog ran outside, so I stepped into the back garden with him for a minute, came back in the house and out of habit… your guessed it! I locked the door!!

I drove the gym, hung my coat up, sat down to do my first set and my phone rang. Oh dear!

Fortunately, Sarah had a great work out and was in good spirits, I raced home to let her back in before she had to rush to work.

This example is a clear case of how programmed we are into our routines and habits, despite even being told about it.

So, my question to you is, how much of what you do on a daily basis is habit and how can you adapt or break that? You never know you might just enjoy the process a little better.

Here are some things I do to break the routine.

1.       Drive to work different ways each day.

2.       Vary my mealtime each day.

3.       Stay in my formal clothes some days instead of falling into the comfy slob clothes each evening.

Simple things but they keep me on the lookout, the keep me open to possibilities to change and opportunities that may come my way.

How are you mixing it up?

With love,

Tom