Start Creating Life Systems by Replacing Bad Habits with Good Habits!
Posted on May 22, 2015 by Nicole Kimmel, One of Thousands of Performance Coaches on Noomii.
Habits are referred to as routines or patterns. I like to call them systems because it’s a positive way of looking at a habit. Life Systems is Key!
What, specifically, is a habit you ask? The dictionary says it is “a settled or regular tendency or practice; one that is hard to give up.” Habits are also referred to as routines or patterns. I like to call them systems because it’s a positive way of looking at a habit. Many times, the word “bad” goes in front of the word “habit.” Whereas the word “system” is usually a word that describes a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole. Systems are set up to create efficiency and efficacy…and usually have a positive outcome. The word “system” may seem a bit industrial or corporate, but it keeps procedures and processes flowing on a daily basis for businesses. So why not treat your life like a business and let systems go to work for you…Life Systems!
One factor about health, that I think some people never think about, goes beyond the food we eat, or the lack of exercise we complain about, or the vitamins we should have taken, etc…it’s the environment in which many people choose to live. Yes, I said “choose.” I’m talking about your car, your home, your office, etc. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, your lack of interior design interest, or how much “stuff” you own; staying organized is much easier than most people think and it is a very important component of health that people take for granted. It can truly be a life-changing experience, once you learn how to make it work for you. Why? Because it reduces stress and gives you more time to do the things you enjoy. How many times are you late for a meeting because you can’t find your keys? How many mornings are you digging around your backseat trying to find that proposal that is buried?
There’s one little phrase I use all the time when teaching people the art of organizing: “Everything has a Home!” Find a home for your keys and every time you walk in your home, put them in that same spot. This will quickly become a new habit and you won’t ever be looking for your keys again. Ever want to take something back to the store and you can’t find the receipt…designate a folder for all your receipts and keep the most current receipt at the front of the folder. In the beginning, you will have to be very conscious of these new habits; but eventually they will become automatic.
BJ Fogg, PhD from Stanford University says “Designing for behavior change is systematic. It’s not guesswork.” In his work, he designed a method called “Tiny Habits.” He explains that by creating tiny habits that are easy to implement, you can then move towards changing more extreme habits. By starting small, you set yourself up for success and you gain confidence, resulting in momentum that leads you to the next “tiny habit.” Many times people decide to make a radical change and they fail, which leads to defeat. Work yourself up to those “big things.”
Take “cleaning your refrigerator,” for example. You really won’t ever have to clean it, per se, if you keep up with it regularly. How about this tiny habit…every time you go to the grocery store and you bring in all of your grocery sacks…before you put them away, check the expiration dates on all the food in the fridge (and the pantry) and get rid of expired items. After that, throw away any left-overs that you think you “might” eat. If you haven’t eaten them after 2-3 days…you’re not going to eat ‘em! Then, find a “home” for each category and put them in the same place every time. Not only will this keep the fridge and pantry clean, but it will also save you money. Now you’ll know exactly what you need because everything is in date and you’ll have a better way to monitor your inventory. Plus, it’s a bit healthier to eat in date food than expired food. Once you master your refrigerator and pantry, move to your closet; or maybe your utility room. Eventually your living spaces will all become organized and you will have more time to do the things you want to do.
Let’s do the math, if you spend one hour per day (each year) trying to “find” something (i.e. 15 minutes locating your keys, 20 minutes trying to find the matching shoe, 10 minutes looking for your wallet, and 15 minutes looking under old magazines or newspapers for that proposal that’s due at Noon…that’s 365 hours you’ve wasted. Think about all the things you could have enjoyed if you would have made a conscious effort to find a “home” for everything. Start this tiny habit today and all these little “homes” will lead to one Happy, Healthy Home
