Happy New Year! If you're like me, you're probably feeling a mix of excitement and dread about all the things you want to accomplish in the coming year. But before you start making a long list of resolutions that you'll probably forget about by February, let's try something different. Instead of focusing on goals, let's focus on habits.
As James Clear says in his book Atomic Habits, "Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. The same way that money multiplies through compound interest, the effects of your habits multiply as you repeat them." In other words, habits have a snowball effect. They may seem small and insignificant at first, but over time they can have a huge impact on your life.
But here's the thing: goals are like a finish line. Once you reach them, you're done. Habits, on the other hand, are ongoing. They're a part of who you are. As John Maxwell says, "Your personal habits determine your success more than any other factor." That's why I choose to focus on habits rather than goals. I want to become the kind of person who consistently does the things that will help me achieve my long-term objectives, rather than just trying to achieve a specific outcome.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: "But habits are hard to form! How am I supposed to remember to do all this stuff every day?" Trust me, I get it. Changing your habits can be tough. But as Mark Twain once said, "Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed down-stairs a step at a time." In other words, take it slow. Don't try to overhaul your entire life at once. Choose one or two habits that you want to work on, and start small. Maybe it's just doing a few push-ups every day, or spending a few minutes meditating before bed. Whatever it is, the key is to make it manageable and sustainable.
So this year, let's ditch the resolutions and focus on building habits that will help us become the best version of ourselves. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. Happy habit-forming!