{"id":3439,"date":"2020-03-07T08:01:11","date_gmt":"2020-03-07T08:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/?p=3439"},"modified":"2021-09-19T16:03:21","modified_gmt":"2021-09-19T16:03:21","slug":"habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/","title":{"rendered":"Habits: Creating Systems for a Successful Existence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Do you have successful habits and routines or are you winging each day as it comes?<br> <br>If you have a vision for your life, it&#8217;s tempting to sit back and imagine yourself fulfilling that personal prophecy&#8230; <br><br>Without doing the hard work required to make it a reality.&nbsp;<br> <br>This is where <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/responsibility\/\">taking responsibility<\/a> and implementing repeatable behaviours is essential to make progress.<br> <br>In this article, we&#8217;ll explore what\u2019s required.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are habits?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f6f9fb;color:#4d535e\">Habits are actions or behaviours we repeat so often as to become automatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if we don\u2019t consciously choose them, they tend to choose us. <br><br>The healthy habits to which you commit <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/goals\/\">move you closer to your goals<\/a> and vice versa. <br><br>Wanna lose weight? <br><br>A conducive habit might be drinking a vegetable smoothie each day for lunch instead of stuffing your face with fast food.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"How Habits Change Your Brain\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vN1aRN5bQQ0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why they&#8217;re important<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Embracing discomfort<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Any goal is an attempt to transition from our current state to a more desirable state, a process accompanied by inevitable growth pains.&nbsp; <br><br>Changing well-worn habits, implementing new routines and adopting necessary behaviours is uncomfortable.&nbsp;<br> <br>And while embracing discomfort is necessary to achieve any goal, we often seek to <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/suffering\/\">retreat from suffering<\/a> to the safety of what we know.<br>&nbsp; <br>Adopting better habits allows us to ignore our transient, ego-driven feelings and engage in the painful <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/taking-action\/\">actions needed to make progress<\/a>. <br><br>So when you hear that soft little voice in your head telling you to skip your workout because you deserve a rest, you (metaphorically) punch yourself in the face and do it anyway.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Automaticity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever we try to achieve a new goal, we\u2019re our own worst enemy, psychologically tripping over our own feet. <br><br>If you\u2019ve ever gone to bed determined to implement <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/morning-routine\/\">a new routine the next day<\/a>, just to have it fall apart as soon as you wake up, you\u2019ll know what I mean.&nbsp;<br> <br>We overthink the next step, playing devil&#8217;s advocate in a compelling inner monologue as we talk ourselves out of starting. <br><br>Habits undermine this tendency.&nbsp; <br><br>As creatures of routine, we like to maintain consistency, regardless of whether that behaviour is productive or harmful.&nbsp; <br><br>The more we do of one thing, the less activation energy is required to start and the more automatic it becomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Self-image<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No goals are achieved in isolation.&nbsp; <br><br>Rather, they&#8217;re preceded by the forging a new identity which allows you to instil the new habits needed for true behaviour change.&nbsp; <br><br>New identities are created by building personal credibility, allowing you to see yourself in a new light.&nbsp; <br><br>For example, I have a daily cold shower, which I hate.&nbsp;<br> <br>But by gritting my teeth and doing it, I reinforce the feeling that I&#8217;m the type of person who can deal with discomfort, giving me a small win for the day and making other annoying tasks more manageable.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The benefit of good habits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Goals<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/goal-setting-worksheet\/\">conquer more goals<\/a>. <br><br>If you&#8217;re the type of person who retreats every time the going gets tough, you won&#8217;t achieve much. <br><br>Accomplishment, if that&#8217;s important to you, is contingent on stepping outside your <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/comfort\/\">comfort zone<\/a> and expanding your sphere of competence. <br><br>Growth hurts, but those willing to endure the process and stick with their habits are provided with external rewards and internal satisfaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Satisfaction<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bad habits, although they might provide a temporary buzz, are quickly followed by guilt and possible self-loathing.&nbsp;<br><br>Good habits, in contrast, feel pretty erm\u2026good. <br><br>Every time you complete one, you get a warm inner glow like an amber bourbon on a cold winters night. <br><br>You know you\u2019re slowly improving and making progress. <br><br>Even if that progress is imperceptible, you\u2019re casting a vote for type of person you want to become. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Origins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Environment <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our environment has a significant bearing on our behaviour. <br><br>For example, if I have a juicy looking chocolate cookie on my desk wooing me with its sweet promises, I\u2019m likely to pick it up and place it in my mouth, unthinking. <br><br>If I have a TV playing incredibly irritating Netflix teasers all day long, I\u2019ll probably succumb to another episode. <br><br>In short, we&#8217;re constantly taking cues from our environment, which is subconsciously guiding our behaviour&#8230; <br><br>Either towards healthy or not-so-healthy habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Association<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f6f9fb;color:#4d535e\">\u201cYou&nbsp;are the average of the&nbsp;five people you spend the most time with.\u201d \u2015 <strong>Jim Rohn<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like our environment, we\u2019re also majorly influenced by those around us. <br><br>As an evolutionary response, social mimicry has proven extremely useful, allowing us to operate in ever-larger groups and develop friendly and sexy relationships to guarantee our safety and reproductive needs respectively. <br><br>However, our tendency to imitate those around us via mirror neurons backfires somewhat outside a survival context, especially if we\u2019re associating with&nbsp;ne&#8217;er-do-wells.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/bad-habit-man-eating-cookie.jpg\" alt=\"bad habit man eating cookie\" class=\"wp-image-3449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/bad-habit-man-eating-cookie.jpg 640w, https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/bad-habit-man-eating-cookie-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Programming&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As we\u2019ve just mentioned, the human animal is designed for two things; survival and reproduction. <br><br>At least according to our genes, which, having achieved those goals and ensured survival of our offspring, couldn\u2019t care less about our fate. <br><br>However, in achieving those aims, we\u2019ve been programmed with certain <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Heuristics_in_judgment_and_decision-making\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"mental heuristics (opens in a new tab)\">mental heuristics<\/a>, or psychological rules of thumb. <br><br>Whenever we see a nice sugary treat, we want it, because this means we secure essential calories for survival. <br><br>Every time to see a voluptuous member of the opposite sex, we experience desire of the baby-making variety. <br><br>Each time we see a comfortable-looking sofa, we want to sit down and conserve energy. <br><br>These genetic stimuli are rather potent, and therefore, can easily perpetuate a string of bad habits that we must undercut using higher cognitive functioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Resistance <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like water, humans tend to follow the path of least resistance. <br><br>Again, much of this might be genetic, as we heed our fears and conserve energy for our survival and reproductive responsibilities. <br><br>As we\u2019ve said, changing our behaviours in favour of growth-related habits is uncomfortable and scary. <br><br>The first time I wrote and published an article I experienced fear, my ego creating unfounded doubts and concerns.<br><br>Publishing an article wasn\u2019t directly linked to my mortal survival, so it would have been easier not to do it. <br><br>Many people shy away from productive, beneficial habits for this very reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Motivation to change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From the above, you might get the impression that habits are sticky little devils, and you\u2019d be right. <br><br>So, how do you change them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Life shock<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If we can guarantee anything in life, it\u2019s that we\u2019ll be blindsided at some point. <br><br>Perhaps you\u2019re suddenly told by a doctor that you&#8217;ll die if you don&#8217;t exercise more and eat better. Or you suddenly discover you\u2019re having a baby. <br><br>Such moments are often turning points, markers in the road that force us to lift our eyes from the asphalt, scan the horizon and question our most fundamental, cherished assumptions. <br><br>Such events are akin to resetting your system and applying a software update, before rebooting with a new set of habits and behaviours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Non-negotiables&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/non-negotiables\/\">Non-negotiables<\/a> are essentially a mind hack for installing habits. <br><br>We all know that good habits lead to good outcomes, while the converse also holds true. <br><br>So why do so many people create grand new years resolutions, such as joining the gym, only to capitulate two weeks later? <br><br>Because we\u2019re weak little snowflakes and change is hard.<br><br>Unless we experience the epiphany of a life shock to scare us into submission, it\u2019s unlikely we\u2019ll magic the motivation required to usurp entrenched behaviours without some tough love. <br><br>This is where non-negotiables come in. <br><br>They\u2019re for people who are so sick of their current behaviour and so determined to make a change that they\u2019ve drawn a line in the sand, marking their territory. <br><br>There\u2019s no quibbling, no second-guessing and no going back. <br><br>They\u2019re all-in and committed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choosing worthy rituals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of us struggle to make progress on our goals not because of weakness but uncertainty.&nbsp; <br><br>We simply haven&#8217;t broken our plans down into manageable, repeatable actions according to order of importance.&nbsp;<br> <br>This is where you need a life plan which contains some sort of purpose. <br><br>Now, here&#8217;s the important thing&#8230;<br>&nbsp; <br>We want to form the habits which move the needle the most. <br><br>That way we get a tangible reward from our hard work and are more likely to stick with the process.&nbsp; <br><br>This might require constant monitoring to chart our progress and testing or installing new behaviours as needed.&nbsp;<br> <br>Of course, there are other perpetual habit-worthy activities that are grounded in first principles and human truths.<br>&nbsp; <br>For me, <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/meditation\/\">a constant example is meditation<\/a>. Not only does science support its use, but thousands of years of human practice demonstrate its place in sound mental hygiene.<br>&nbsp; <br>Combined with my own experiences, this non-negotiable is a permanent feature on my daily to-do&#8217;s.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"523\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/yoga-practice.png\" alt=\"yoga practice\" class=\"wp-image-3450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/yoga-practice.png 640w, https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/yoga-practice-300x245.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to stick to your habits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Muchos techniques exist for adopting better habits. Here are some examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Values<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve talked a length about the importance of values and ensuring that you act congruently with your worldview. <br><br>Choosing habits which align with the person you want to become is an essential part of making your new habits stickier than the old ones. <br><br>Identifying a <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/life-purpose\/\">purpose you want to pursue<\/a> is invaluable in this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Planning<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s all very well deciding you\u2019re going to be the fittest 40-something around, but unless you reverse engineer your goal, nothing changes. <br><br>Work backwards from your ideal result and <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/life-plan\/\">plan the steps required to get there<\/a>. Follow up with scheduling. <br><br>Unless you know what you\u2019ll do and when, transitory weakness will undoubtedly creep back in. <br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/14596707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Research (opens in a new tab)\">Research<\/a> shows that we\u2019re much more likely to follow through with a desired activity by scheduling its exact time and place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Writing<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It helps to write this down exactly what you\u2019re signing up for. <br><br>This could take the shape of a mission statement or granular goals, systems and daily actions. <br><br>Writing is a process of externalising what you want to achieve to hold yourself accountable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accountability <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Seeking help from others is a surefire method to keep you on track. <br><br>Joining groups with common goals distributes the burden of behaviour change and provides added inspiration and input when you need it the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Environment <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve already talked about how our environment influences habits. <br><br>Therefore, we must examine our surroundings with a critical eye, making bad behaviours more difficult and good behaviours easier to implement. <br><br>This might include chucking the sugary treats in your house and replacing them with healthy snacks. <br><br>The effect? <br><br>We leverage my very own laziness law, which states that we can\u2019t be bothered to make a special shopping trip to satisfy our sweet tooth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Habit tracking <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are plenty of shiny little apps that provide a nice dopamine hit when we complete a daily habit. <br><br>By keeping track of your progress, you slowly build tangible evidence of your progress. <br><br>Most of these apps provide data for self-analysis along with your success rate for showing up and sticking to your system. <br><br>A popular one seems to be <a href=\"https:\/\/streaksapp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Streaks (opens in a new tab)\">Streaks<\/a>. I\u2019ve also used <a href=\"https:\/\/nomie.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Nomie (opens in a new tab)\">Nomie<\/a>, which is pretty cool (and open source). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Start small <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Habit change can seem daunting, if not impossible, for lifelong behaviours. <br><br>So to make them seem more manageable, it\u2019s essential to start ridiculously small. <br><br>If you have a deep loathing toward exercise, this might mean simply walking to the end of your street and back for the first few weeks. <br><br>Once you start to feel good about accomplishing this new habit, you can build from there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use cues <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We humans are habit machines, partly because we associate one action with the next in one extended ritual. <br><br>Your morning routine might contain various associations, whereby the cue to dispense toothpaste for teeth cleaning was provided by your deliciously crunchy cereal. <br><br>You can use this tendency to your benefit with other habits. <br><br>For example, if you\u2019re an office dweller, can you use getting up from your desk as a reminder to do a few squats? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reward <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re not robots (yet!) When you implement your new routine, pamper yourself with a healthy reward. <br><br>This sets up a nice little psychological feedback loop, and like <a href=\"https:\/\/online.husson.edu\/consumer-behavior-pavlovian-theory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Pavlov\u2019s dog (opens in a new tab)\">Pavlov\u2019s dog<\/a>, we start salivating upon implementing our new routine. <br><br>I use a mid-morning coffee with satisfyingly frothy oat milk as my incentive to meditate and hit the gym, and it works a treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ideal frequency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Personally, I get the most bang for my buck by <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/daily-practice\/\">following a daily practice<\/a>. <br><br>It helps to grease the wheel religiously and become intimately familiar with your desired behaviour. <br><br>Every time you perform the activity it gets slightly easier as you re-trace the outline of a new identity. <br><br>This initiates a psychological phenomenon called <a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.apa.org\/consistency-theory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"consistency theory (opens in a new tab)\">consistency theory<\/a>, whereby when we act in a certain way, we seek to maintain that self-image through continued repetition of the same behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Friends and family<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>New habits frequently require lifestyle re-design.&nbsp; <br><br>While this might feel great for you, such enthusiasm might not be shared by your loved ones.&nbsp;<br> <br>This is especially true if your new behaviour threatens their own lifestyle choices and identity.<br> <br>Habit formation requires minimal friction and exposure to old behaviours, such as seeing your partner supping on an impossibly hoppy craft beer, can result in pre-emptively falling off the wagon.&nbsp; <br><br>So powwow with loved ones ahead of time, discuss your intentions and seek their support as you make your transition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/journaling-ritual.jpg\" alt=\"journaling ritual\" class=\"wp-image-3451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/journaling-ritual.jpg 640w, https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/journaling-ritual-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recommended routines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Obviously, everyone is different and what\u2019s right for me isn\u2019t identical for you. <br><br>There are, however, some fundamental areas of existence in which habits should play a primary role.&nbsp; <br><br>Get them right and not only will you make progress on your goals, but also encourage wholesome feels of happiness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Health and wellbeing<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty obvious. Good health is the foundation of human flourishing, and like everything else, may only be fully appreciated once swallowed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/time\/\">mists of time<\/a>. <br><br>Investing in healthy habits like a nutritious diet and regular exercise are clearly beneficial, while mental hygiene, in the form of meditation, should also be considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Relationships<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Humans are social animals and plenty of research extols the benefits of regular social connection. <br><br><a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/best-habits-to-adopt\/\">Incorporating habits<\/a> which bring you into contact with your fellow man counteracts loneliness and social isolation, the silent killers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Purpose <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hopefully, you\u2019ve uncovered an element of life which drives you. <br><br>Maybe it\u2019s playing board games or making fistfuls of money. <br><br>Either way, implementing habits to fuel purposeful progress toward this end feels good. <br><br>Such routines should be easier to instil in areas you find genuinely rewarding, aiding the application of habits in more challenging domains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cornerstone rituals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The above recommendations are broad by design. <br><br>They focus on the fundamentals, and as such, when you nail a habit in a domain such as health, it inevitably cross-pollinates other areas, making habit change that much easier across the spectrum.<br><br>You\u2019ve probably already experienced this. <br><br>When you perform a productive activity, like attending the gym, you might feel motivated to go shopping and clean the house. <br><br>What happened? <br><br>You temporarily embrace a productive identity and proceed to act consistently with that persona.&nbsp;<br> <br>Use this effect to your advantage and focus on the core components of happiness and wellbeing first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What if you break the routine?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Then you have to bow down to the habit demon and make a suitable sacrifice. <br><br>It\u2019s life\u2026things crop up and inevitably we not flawless with our new routines.&nbsp;<br> <br>A missed day here and there doesn\u2019t reverse the consistency principle of our developing identity.&nbsp; <br><br>However, if you let one day become two and then slide into three and four, you risk slipping into unwanted habits. <br><br>Rather than becoming despondent, if you miss your habit for the day, there\u2019s a simple rule; never miss twice.<br> <br>In this way, we\u2019re liberated from the pressure of perfectionism. <br><br>Rather than aiming for a perfect score, we know that even after temporary blips, we can get back on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>It&#8217;s not about results<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It might sound surprising, but to me, results are somewhat secondary.&nbsp; <br><br>As I mentioned earlier, it&#8217;s about becoming the type of person who does what they say they will.&nbsp; <br><br>There is power in your commitment and although drawing a line in the sand doesn&#8217;t always guarantee success, you&#8217;ll evolve into the type of person who feels capable of setting targets and adopting the necessary behaviours to work towards them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Habits make or break a life.<br><br>You can either <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/causes-of-procrastination\/\">procrastinate on your biggest goals<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/productivity\/\">become a productivity machine<\/a>.<br>&nbsp; <br>Where we end up isn\u2019t down to chance, but ultimately decisions made and actions taken. <br><br>The habits we instil are a declaration of who we are and where we want to go. <br><br>And by investing in the right ones today, we ensure a better tomorrow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/atomic-habits-summary-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"atomic habits summary\" class=\"wp-image-2229\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recommended reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to read a book on the topic, check out the habit bible in all its sciencey goodness; <a href=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/books\/summaries\/atomic-habits\/\">Atomic Habits by James Clear<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have successful habits and routines or are you winging each day as it comes?<\/p>\n<p>If you have a vision for your life, it&#8217;s tempting to sit back and imagine yourself fulfilling that personal prophecy&#8230; <\/p>\n<p>Without doing the hard work required to make it a reality. <\/p>\n<p>This is where getting strict with yourself and implementing repeatable behaviours is essential to make progress.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we&#8217;ll explore what\u2019s required.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Habits: Creating Systems for a Successful Existence | Bloomsoup<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to work on your habits? 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This comprehensive guide walks you through the theory and practice of creating better routines\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bloomsoup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bloomsoup\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-03-07T08:01:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-09-19T16:03:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/healthy-habits.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Joel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@joelface\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thebloomsoup\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Joel\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Joel\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/#\/schema\/person\/540656bb1e42797634f467f16f584da7\"},\"headline\":\"Habits: Creating Systems for a Successful Existence\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-07T08:01:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-09-19T16:03:21+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/\"},\"wordCount\":2868,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Self-Improvement\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/habits\/\",\"name\":\"Habits: Creating Systems for a Successful Existence | Bloomsoup\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-07T08:01:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-09-19T16:03:21+00:00\",\"description\":\"Want to work on your habits? 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