make or break?

It may only be a small thing... seemingly insignificant. But it has the potential power to make or break.

We all have it, and we can change it. Yet it can be difficult to change – unless you have a very strong vision of what you want, you know why you want it and you have a strong desire to get it. So what is it?

It’s habit.

Habit can make or break your results.

Consider this question: Which is more important? The amount of time you put in or the habit of putting in the time?

The answer is that it's the habit that is more important.

Doing just one small thing each and everyday will soon add up. For example, have you ever noticed how your grocery bill adds up even though all the items that you bought were small in themselves? Yet, the final bill came to something surprisingly bigger than you had originally anticipated. The same goes for those coins you simply put aside in a jar. Before long, you've amassed quite a sum.

The difference between the highly successful person and one who isn’t as highly successful can be simply boiled down to the difference in their habits. The same goes for the wealthy person and the not-so-wealthy person, the happy person and the unhappy person. For example...

• Do you have a habit of spending? Or that of saving?
• Do you have a habit of focusing on what’s gone wrong? Or on determining what’s gone right?
• Do you have a habit of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future? Or living in the now?
• Do you have a habit of beating yourself up? Or do you notice what you’re good at and acknowledge yourself?
• Do you have a habit of picking at your lesser attributes? Or do you focus on your more positive ones?
• Do you have a habit of focusing on how much more weight you still have to lose? Or how much you’ve already lost?
• Do you have a habit of thinking how little of your debt you’ve paid off? Or that you are taking positive steps in the right direction?
• Do you have a habit of saying how much you can’t afford what you want? Or feeling good about the things that you already have?
• Do you have a habit of collapsing in front of the television watching nothing in particular? Or do you spend your time on a more meaningful activity?
• Do you spend your time complaining? Or counting your blessings?

And so the list goes on.

Habits determine the quality of your life. Make them good ones. Build your foundation. Make small changes. The effect over time will be significant.

And by the way, do you have a habit of thinking like a pauper? Or as if you are already a millionaire in all senses of the word?

Action Points

1. Start looking out for and noticing some of your habits - be they habitual thoughts, habitual self-talk or habitual behaviours.

2. Determine whether it's a habit that is supportive to you or otherwise.

3. Decide if and how you'd like to change the habit. Choose whichever feels better!

4. Catch yourself each time you "do" the old habit and celebrate catching yourself (make it a game - how often can you catch yourself?)

5. Remind yourself of the change you want to make, why you want to make it and then do the new thing that feels better instead. Be sure to have fun!

Quote

"Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart." - Confucius

"In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry or idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe." - Lydia Sigourney

"Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny." - Tyron Edwards

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