Why Build a habit, anyway?

I mentioned in one of my previous blog posts that in the month of March we, here at Dunnebells, would be talking about habit building. Maybe it was on THIS post, or THIS one? I’m not sure. But, if you wanna fill some more of your already valuable time with more of our thoughts and whatnot - feel free to go read those blogs after you’re done this one. 

Habit building is one of those things that gets tossed around in the ‘building success’ world ALL THE TIME. Quite literally you could Google “what is the secret to building good great habits” and you’ll find a few of these answers:


•Read Atomic Habits (which actually is a good book, to be honest)

•Read Good Habits Bad Habits 

•Make it part of your schedule

•Use reminders

•Get around supportive people who are willing to help

•Start easy

And many, many more. 

You could also Google “how to break a bad habit” and some of these suggestions are likely to pop up:

•Read Good Habits Bad Habits

•Identify your triggers

•Use reminders

•Prepare for the fact that you may ‘slip up’

•Get around supportive people who are willing to help

And many, many more.

So with that being said, it seems that we can’t really teach you life-changing things. 

Everything is already on google - you just have to go searching for it. 

But be careful what you search on Google, however. That’s always my advice - because whatever it is that you’re looking for, it’s my belief that you’re going to find it.

Want to convince yourself that Mother Teresa was a horrible person? Just Google “Why shouldn’t I like Mother Teresa” and you’ll find your answer.

Want to instead learn about why you should like Mother Teresa? Just Google “Great things about Mother Teresa” and, your answer is going to appear.

I promise.

But, when it comes to habit building, it’s all there. I can almost guess that there’s too much there, as well. Anything you need is sitting there waiting for you to read it. 

Don’t go just yet though, I’m not finished.

When it comes to habit building for me (or let’s just entertain the idea of breaking habits, too) I think it’s fair that before you do ANYTHING, maybe you could identify WHY you want to either make or break that specific habit.

What will change in your life if you do?

What won’t change (so much that it’s detrimental) if you don’t?

If you’re looking to build a habit of getting up one hour before your kids so that you get a great head start on your day simply because someone else told you that their life has improved immensely since doing so - but you’re not a morning person and you don’t really even want to, deep down - then I urge you to maybe consider building a different habit.

What works for some, may not work for you.

And maybe you shouldn’t try making it work for you unless it’s something YOU want to actually do.

In this scenario - although I do not yet have kids - I can honestly tell you that no matter WHO says that mornings are important and to be successful I should consider getting up one hour earlier so that I can win my day? I’m not doing it. 

I’m simply NOT interested. 

Will I find my own way to ‘win the morning’? Absolutely! I am SO open to that - but there is no way that just because it worked for someone I know that I’m going to convince myself to do it myself. 

What about this one…

If you’re looking to start meditating on a regular basis because you’ve read and read and read about the benefits of it and because your neighbor’s sister does it for an hour a day and SHE seems happy, but you actually cringe at the idea - I ask you why on earth you would want to build THAT habit?

There’s nothing wrong with meditating, but if you’ve tried before and not enjoyed it, but are still convinced that you should do it a few times a week because so-and-so says it’ll change your life - why are you even considering it?

This is your one shot at living your best life, and if you don’t want to be doing something like deep down don’t want to, then I don’t think you should. 

The same could be said for those of you who may want to introduce a habit, of let’s say, running every day for at least thirty minutes so that you can complete a half marathon at the end of the year - and having people around you say things like:

“Seriously, you’re doing that? Isn’t that a little extreme”?

Or

“Oh, I have a friend who did that, and do you know how tired she was? She didn’t even end up running the half marathon and she wishes she didn’t even try”.


Don’t listen to those people either.

They’re not good for you.

We can so easily be influenced by people (right now I’m trying to influence you to listen to yourself and live your life for yourself based on decisions you make in regards to things you want to do) but it’s always important to keep your blinders on.

Know that, no matter what other people are saying or doing, you have the absolute power to make your own decisions.

Do you feel like you want to introduce a new habit and see how it goes? 

GREAT!

Do you feel like you’re finally ready to kick your seemingly pathetic habit to the curb for the last time?

GREAT!

My advice this week, before we come back next week talking about ways you can actually do (things you can implement) the things you want to do, is to think. 

Think hard about what it is you’re wanting to do (or stop doing) and make it personal. If it’s not personal to you, I don’t think you’ll generate the results you’re looking for. 

Affirm with yourself WHY you’re choosing to make or break this habit - and once it feels right (like actually right, something you know you’re ready for) then write it down. 

Write it down, place it somewhere you’re going to see it (I recommend the fridge, if you’re anything like me) and keep thinking about it. 

Next week? Come back - we’re going to talk about how we can actually get started on these habits. 

Have a great week, we will see you back here soon!