I am reading James Clear’s Atomic Habits (Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results). For me, this is Day 1. The compounding effect of habits is beginning to make sense to me. I am primarily an organized person, but in many major parts of my life, many things are on hold. It seems like there is never a time to do all those things like paperwork, returning library books or boring stuff like that.
This concept is not that new to me. I have experience of it while cooking food. At first, I was terrible at it, but now I am improving. It only takes a little time each day to achieve remarkable results. That’s true. I am hoping to find a way to implement the power of atomic habits into my life.
So, here comes the major roadblock to habit acquisition. THE CHOICE. Choosing the right habits is crucial. I am pretty sure it is easy for many people to acquire. However, for me to convince my brain to actually stay with the choice and make it a part of my life has been a complex process to maintain.
As I mentioned, it is Day 1. My goal is to make a decision and acquire some habits. Now, I am contemplating which habit I should adopt.
There are several options running through my head:
- The habit of cooking: It is a very useful habit. I can’t stress enough how helpful and useful it is for people who live alone. Cooking alone saves money and restricts unhealthy outside food. I want to incorporate it into my lifestyle.
2. Small workout habit: It will give my body mobility, and it will be healthy to do it. Whether it is simple workouts like a 7-minute workout or a 10-minute walk in the park. It is a healthy habit to learn. I don’t work out, and yeah, it shows in every sphere of my life. Yes. Guilty.
3. Writing career: It will help my current career. I have struggled with maintaining a writing habit. To be a talented writer, you cannot create once and for all. You know, writing once and then forgetting about it doesn’t work. I will let you know that there is no habit of writing right now in my life. The process of producing “phenomenal and perfect work” is often procrastinated. For many years, I have felt the same, and removing this habit is tough. Even now, I realize the truth. It is hard not to fall back into the bad habit of procrastination and perfection.
4. Habit of maintaining Relationship: I feel that I am unable to make time for my loved ones as I used to. I have fallen into this bad habit of going on dates or dinners when the time is perfect and I have nothing to do. Well there is no free time if you are adulting. When days turn into months and months turn into years, you won’t know when time flies, and it happens in the blink of an eye. Our emotional brain perceives time quite differently. I have learned this the hard way.
5. Habit of good Finances: Oh Lord! There is a whole new dynamic here. I cannot stress enough how messed up my financial planning is to date. All parts of my life are connected, as I have not maintained a healthy habit of food and exercise. It affected my health. With a series of doctor visits and minor surgery, my finances are drained. My bad habit of not focusing on my career and not consistently working toward it has slowed my career. I don’t have that kind of financial freedom. Not being able to take time for my loved ones, I have been more stressed, which has impacted my health etc. Are you noticing a pattern here?
It is just day one, and I am excited to share many insights. As you write down your thoughts, you will understand clearly where you lack and what you can do to improve. I am sure you would like to share your experiences too. In what spheres of life do you feel you lack, and what was your first reaction after reading the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear? I am really curious to know.
Oh boy, I really should work on it. Follow me to get weekly updates on how I am incorporating good habits and improving my life. I think it will be a blissful journey (just kidding!) 😛