What can you accomplish in a month? According to science, that’s all it takes to start forming a new habit, and good habits lead to good results. That’s the goal behind our Monthly Challenge, to help you create the right habits – physically and mentally – to make significant strides toward your best, healthiest self.
“The nature of people is always the same; it is their habits that separate them.” – Confucius
Few things stand the test of time. Yet, these words are as valid today as they were when they were first written more than 2,000 years ago.
People are people. We’re all flesh and blood, with similar physiology. We may have different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, but the nature of being human remains similar amongst us all at our core.
What separates us is not nationality, race, money, or ideology. It’s habits.
Since the dawn of humans, the most successful people have been those with the most successful habits.
Their thinking and actions are those geared automatically, without consciously developed intentions, toward the presence of positive goals. That is, literally, the definition of habitual behavior.
However, Confucius was also right when he said, “The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up the bad ones.”
Well, we’re here to change that!
Forming the RIGHT habits
Every day, intentionally or not, you’re working toward forming habits, both good and bad.
Hitting the snooze button repeatedly every morning is a habit. So is reaching for a pair of running shoes after getting home each day or buckling your seatbelt without thinking about it.
We are creatures of habit because habits are efficient. We can perform useful behaviors without wasting time and energy thinking about them. However, the fact that habits become deeply ingrained in our brains means that even if a particular habit creates more problems than it solves, it can be challenging to break.
That’s why it’s so powerful when you create healthy habits because doing so will set you up for success in virtually any area of your life you want.
Want to be healthier physically? Create good workout and diet habits. Better career? Better work habits. Better mental health? Better work-life balance habits or getting in the habit of taking time for yourself.
It seems so easy, but creating bad habits is often easier—habits like making excuses, taking the easy way out, or quitting altogether.
Because of this, the simple act of trying to start a new habit seems daunting to many. Fortunately, that’s more a perception issue, as the science says otherwise.
Studies show it takes an average of 66 days to create a routine or start an automatic habit.
That’s only two months, and there’s something that can shorten that time: Pleasure. Anything that provides our brain with intense feelings of pleasure will be learned faster.
Now, for some, healthy habits like going to the gym, eating healthier, meditating, or going to therapy are by no means pleasurable experiences. However, finding psychological placebos like small things you enjoy about these activities or even telling yourself you want it can be motivating.
For example, watching your favorite show on Netflix WHILE on the treadmill at the gym could be a win-win. Or, maybe drinking a gallon of water throughout the day means you allow yourself a diet coke with dinner or even a glass of wine here and there?
Having a community of support is also huge; that’s where we come in – your tribe determines your vibe. So by committing to our Monthly Challenges, you’ll be doing so with a whole community of others here to keep you motivated and focused on your goal.
Because although our nature may be the same, joining us on our challenges is what will separate you and get you to where you want to be in 2022.
Our Team is on board. What about YOU?
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