Mastering Habit Formation: Embrace the Learning Journey
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Chapter 1: The Childlike Approach to Habit Formation
Embarking on the journey of habit formation can often feel cumbersome at first, but that's completely normal. Whether you're trying to kick a soccer ball, learn to swim, or master a yoga pose, the initial attempts might not look very graceful. The key is to simply begin.
Repeating the action gradually enhances your proficiency, making it feel almost automatic over time. Eventually, you’ll be ready to tackle the next step in your learning journey.
The secret lies in starting small. For example, kicking the soccer ball can begin with just locating it with your foot. In swimming, you might start by sitting at the pool's edge, splashing your legs in the water while wearing floaties. When it comes to yoga, perhaps your first step is merely touching your toes, or even just reaching for them.
The Contrast Between Children's and Adults' Learning
Children naturally embrace the learning process without the pressure of immediate perfection. They kick the ball with joy, regardless of where it lands. Each connection of foot to ball is a victory. If you've seen a child learning to splash in a pool, you'll know that the bigger the splash, the more delighted they are, especially if they manage to drench a parent or sibling in the process.
Watching children learn is a beautiful experience; they dive in, make mistakes, and enjoy themselves without concern for aesthetics or skill level.
On the other hand, adults often feel the need to excel from the very start. We tend to evaluate our progress against others, fixating on how quickly we advance or how we appear while doing it. Even when we do commit to learning, we often wish to expedite the process and return to achieving tangible results.
The Barriers We Create for Ourselves
I can relate to this struggle. When I learn something new, I often impose lofty expectations on myself. For instance, if I’m shown how to paint, I might envision hosting an art exhibition for my masterpieces. This was my mindset during a recent casual painting event.
Let me be honest: I am far from being an artist. My skills are limited to replicating others' work, and I’m only proficient at drawing stick figures. You might possess more inherent talent, but without practice and resilience, many of us shy away from the prospect of failure.
Instead of trying, we daydream about the incredible creations we could produce, leaving those visions trapped in our imaginations.
The Reality of Habit Formation
The truth is, achieving success does not happen overnight. Anyone claiming otherwise is misinformed. Real progress in learning, and consequently in habit formation, is built upon consistent, small actions.
Consider the challenge of running a half marathon. Attempting a 10km run on your first day is likely to lead to frustration and injury. Instead, if your goal is to run a marathon, start with manageable distances, gradually increasing your mileage over time.
The same principle applies to writing a book. Aspiring authors must dedicate countless hours to writing and revising until they produce a complete manuscript. Building a habit of writing requires a commitment to stringing together hundreds of thousands of words over time.
Similarly, in business, dreaming of a large enterprise with numerous employees and investors is one thing. However, without the foundational habit of generating consistent revenue, it may remain just a dream.
Small Steps Lead to Big Changes
To realize your aspirations, begin with small, manageable actions. Just like a child learning to kick a ball, allow yourself the space to fail and make it enjoyable.
Today, take a tiny step toward your goal. Identify what you want to achieve and outline the necessary steps to get there. Start with the smallest action—write a single sentence, put on your running shoes, or make a call to a potential client and hang up before the conversation starts.
Repeat this tiny action daily and track your progress. You might discover that you can write a second sentence, take a short walk, or engage in a meaningful conversation.
With enough practice, you will effortlessly find yourself running 10km, writing thousands of words, or confidently making business calls every morning.
I wish you all the best on this journey.
Kristin Austin is the creator of the 1st business revenue-building game and is currently writing an e-book to share her insights. If you're interested in coaching to boost your sales revenue, feel free to reach out.
Chapter 2: Practical Tips for Building Habits
This video, "Habits 101: How to Create Habits that Can Change Your Life," offers insightful strategies for establishing impactful habits in your life.
In "How to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones," learn effective techniques to foster positive habits while eliminating those that hinder your progress.