We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle
Trying to change one's life without changing one's habits is as effective as trying to drive fast on a flat tyre.
So how do we change our habits, how do we change the way that we habitually act?
Step 1 is awareness - We must recognise our habit.
Step 2 is acceptance - To transform anything we must first accept what is so now.
Step 3 is understanding the reasons - Understanding why we acted the way we did
Step 4 is understanding the results - Understanding the result of out habitual actions.
Step 5 is forgiveness - We forgive ourselves and we forgive others - This is essential!
Step 6 is desire - How would we like life to be?
Step 7 is choice - We choose to create habits that will support us to live the life we desire.
Step 8 is structure - We create structures that support us to maintain our habits.
Let's take the example of a heavy drinker:
Step 1 - The heavy drinker recognises that he is drinking heavily.
Step 2 - He accepts that he is drinking heavily (without judgement).
Step 3 - He understand that his friends are heavy drinkers and that he drinks to forget.
Step 4 - He understands the impact that his drinking is having on himself and his loved ones
Step 5 - He forgives himself and others for where he is now.
Step 6 - He desires to live a healthy clean life.
Step 7 - He chooses to create healthy life habits including food, drink, exercise and social life.
Step 8 - He creates structures that support him to maintain his habits - Friends, support groups etc.
The process can take a long time and can also happen very quickly. The key is to make small changes to our habits, to create an environment that supports the new habits and to stick to the new habit.
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