Another fun book on habit change....

Making small changes can add up. Yes, we have all heard of habit change and I have mentioned quite often. When I was going through a training, the coach kept saying small hinges swing big doors. I would let that sink it. Then, I was listening to a podcast, and it mention how if we could get 1% better each day, at the end of the year, you would be 37 times better at the end of the year. I was really impressed to hear this. I jotted down the book, and you guessed it, I had to read it. I am a little overboard with habit change. The book has made me a better person, better wife, and most of all a better coach. It gives me that whisper that everyone and anyone can reach a goal, a dream, or simply begin a new small habit.

I had fun reading James Clear’s bestselling book “Atomic Habits”. There are many simple distinctive parts that Clear points out in the book that is so fascinating. He explains habits in such a simple but extremely powerful way that any of us can understand. In the beginning, he explains how we should not be concerned as much with making a goal but instead work on a system instead. Winners and losers both have the goal of winning, however the team or person who works on their system (practicing) is going to win most often. He also explains how we can achieve a goal but if you had not worked on the system, the goal might be only temporary. Take for instance weight loss. If you wanted to lose 25 pounds and went on what I refer to as crazy-ass diet and end up losing the weight but return to your “old eating system”, the weight will return. However, if you implemented a “new eating system” of healthier choices, the weight loss will be slower but lasting. Clear also explains why we lose interest in habit building. Habit building results take a while, and we lose interest before we can see the changes. He explains how we can make small changes, but fail to see a tangible result, and decide to stop! Yes, if we are not instantly rewarded, we lose interest. He calls this the valley of disappointment. In order to see the difference in our changes, the habit or change needs to last long enough to break through what he refers to as the Plateau of Latent Potential. Once you cross this point, you will feel like it is overnight success. This makes perfect sense. How many times have you gone on a diet and was frustrated about not losing any weight and decided to stop? Or, started working out and did not see any changes in your body for months and quit? I have done both many times in my lifetime. I remembered on day I asked myself why I started and stopped a work regimen over and over again. I would do well on the program until something in life happened and I would let it get in the way. I had never thought about this Plateau of Latent Potential. This is Clear's diagram of the valley of disappointment!

The book goes on in great depth and kept me intrigued. I wanted to share the simple idea of why we stop forming habits that are good for us. We must remember that it takes time to see the results. We need to think more about the system and not just the goal itself. I also have heard from someone else who said it takes commitment not motivation. We all get motivated and excited about starting something but as soon as live happens, our motivation fizzles. I laughed aloud! Yes, exactly. We go out and buy new organizational crap to get organized when we are motivated, new work out gear, new healthy foods, all while we are motivated. However, it seems to just fade away. We have to make a commitment to ourselves that we are going to work on “our system” regardless.

Fall is right around the corner! It is such a fun time. Kids are returning to school, football season is upon us, and the plants and trees are thriving with the cooler temps. So, let’s think about a part of our life that we could implement a new system, or improve an already in place system and make improvements on, and be committed to working on the system.

Have a Beautiful Day!