You Are Your Habits

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

How does this happen?

Why is so much emphasis placed on habits? What exactly are they? And how do they shape our lives?

In today’s short post, I will be covering the importance of habits; Consider how your life could look like, if you were to pay closer attention to the little things that shape who you are today.

Imagine the untapped potential of the way you go about living everyday, waiting for you to nurture it into something extraordinary.

What is a Habit?

A habit is a phenomenon where specific situations automatically trigger certain behaviours, because over time, our minds have linked those cues with particular actions. In simpler words, a habit is an action that becomes automatic, not requiring much thought or effort.

So, a habit isn’t just an action—it’s the context, environment, and patterns in which it was created.

A habit is a reaction that follows an internal process, one that gets faster and more ingrained over time and repetition.

Habits are everywhere, all around you, but it takes a bit of reflection to truly notice them.

Why Are Habits Useful?

Now that we understand what habits are, we can see why they’re essential to daily life.

Habits automate the processes that drain our focus unnecessarily. As David Allen put it, “Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.”

But how can we focus on new ideas when our minds are bogged down by small, repetitive tasks? It’s pointless to constantly rely on our willpower and strength for every single action of the day, when we could keep that reservoir for the more important tasks.

Without habits, we risk falling into confusion, stress, and anxiety. And how could it be otherwise?

The mind is captivated by potential—the possibilities of what could be, both good and bad.

This focus on potential, while powerful, can be overwhelming. We get caught up in its vastness, distracted by endless “what ifs” that pull us away from the present moment. Over time, this can lead to inconsistency, incoherence, and even irrationality. In this state, we may lose track of our goals, our time, and even our sense of self.

Habits are our mental anchors, the pillars that keep us grounded. Basic human functions—like breathing, walking, or speaking—are habits in their own right. We think about what we want to say, not how to move our lips to say it. These automatic responses free up mental space, allowing us to experience life more fully.

Now, let me ask you this:

What if you could narrow your focus to what truly matters?

What if, by creating powerful habits, you cleared away distractions and freed your mind for the pursuits that drive you?

What if your habits could guide you effortlessly toward your purpose—no more wasted energy on the small and mundane things?

Which habits though?

Establishing lasting habits starts with identifying the right actions to turn into habits—and understanding why these actions matter.

To do this, begin by defining a set of guiding principles and a clear purpose that will give your habits direction. Every habit should be a function of your purpose, reinforcing it rather than distracting from it.

A good place to start is by identifying the habits you currently find harmful or unproductive and assessing why they exist. Understanding the underlying motivation for these habits—whether it's stress relief, boredom, or seeking validation—will reveal what they’re truly compensating for.

If you’ve done this thoroughly, you’ll likely find that these habits are your brain's way of addressing a deeper need, albeit ineffectively. Recognizing this opens the door to building better habits that fulfill these needs more effectively and in a way that aligns with your long-term goals.

Take smoking, for example. Many people enjoy it because nicotine triggers dopamine release within seconds, creating feelings of pleasure and relaxation. However, beneath the craving for nicotine might be unaddressed issues like chronic stress, anxiety, a high dopamine threshold, or a lack of purpose, which fuels a cycle of dependence.

By identifying these root causes, you can begin replacing smoking with habits that address the underlying need without harming your well-being such as dedicating time daily to stress relief, engaging in purpose-driven activities and delayed gratification activities.

The Theory Behind Habits

I’ll briefly explain the most effective method to build and break habits, based on the brilliant principles put forward by James Clear in Atomic Habits.

If you’re interested in an in-depth guide to building and breaking habits, subscribe so you don’t miss it!

According to Clear, habits can be broken down into a 4-step process:

1. Cue: The trigger or signal that initiates the habit.

2. Craving: The why behind the habit.

3. Response: The actual habit or action.

4. Reward: The end goal or benefit of the habit.

   
   

To effectively build habits, reinforce each step with these strategies:

1. Make it Obvious: Make the cue to start the habit as clear and obvious as possible.

2. Make it Attractive: Have a strong reason and find a way to make the habit enjoyable.

3. Make it Easy: Start small; make the action as easy as possible initially, and gradually increase the difficulty as the habit becomes ingrained.

4. Make it Rewarding: Ensure that completing the habit feels rewarding and satisfying.

   
   

Example: Going to the Gym

Let’s say your goal is to make going to the gym a habit.

1. Cue: Place your gym clothes in a visible spot the night before to remind you.

2. Craving: Remind yourself of why you want to go & make sure it is enjoyable to go to the gym; (better health, greater confidence, listening to music, socializing with a friend)

3. Response: Start by committing to just 20 minutes at the gym to make it manageable, and slowly increase.

4. Reward: Reward yourself with a post-gym smoothie or a few minutes of relaxation to associate the habit with a positive feeling.

   
   
   
   

The Foundation of Consistent Success

While goals set our direction, it’s our habits—the systems we follow day by day—that lead us there.

Consider a competition: both participants are determined to win, yet it’s rarely the goal that separates the winner from the rest.

Instead, it’s the systems they use, the habits they’ve ingrained, that ultimately make the difference.

Habits bring sustainability into self-improvement & personal development. They empower you to show up daily, to take those necessary actions without leaving progress up to chance.

In essence, habits are the building blocks of life.

Each action compounds over time, making you better each day, guiding you toward your purpose; the person you aspire to be.

Habits provide the structure that stops you from falling whenever things go terribly wrong, and don’t doubt that they will, because life is painfully arbitrary.

So what do you do ?

You shift the odds in your favour.

You build the habits which will shelter you from the chaos that is constantly lurking between the various layers of your Being.

You choose to be extraordinary.