There are so many things we know are good for us, whether it’s taking regular walks, going to bed on time, meditating, or connecting with friends and family.
Yet knowing them in theory and practising them are two very different things.
And doing them consistently is a challenge for most people, due to a plethora of reasons.
A concept I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is that with all of these things, we are often only ever one decision away from making them a part of our lives.
That decision is turning them from a thing, action, or task we know would benefit us into a habit.
In simple terms:
We are only ever one new habit away from changing the trajectory of our lives.
I don’t know about you, but framing it this way feels liberating…
It relieves a huge amount of pressure that I’m confident many of us feel from the ever-growing list of things we’re told to do to live our healthiest, best lives.
All it takes is integrating these singular actions into our lives in such a way that they’re repeated day after day until they become habits, so automatic that we no longer have to think about them, much like brushing our teeth.
But that’s the challenging part, right?
Turning something we know is good for us into a habit and repeating it daily is the hard bit.
It’s easy to take a walk on a sunny Saturday afternoon when you feel like it.
But taking a walk every afternoon, especially when you don’t feel like it, is where the real challenge lies.
Yet it’s in that exact space where growth happens!
I’ve found that the mindset that we’re only ever one decision and therefore one habit away from changing the course of our lives is a helpful mental frame.
It reduces pressure and overwhelm, which can help us stay more consistent.
Our minds often make things seem bigger than they really are, leading us into overthinking and ultimately inaction.
I know; I’ve been there all too often. 👀
The concept I’m sharing helps break things down into smaller, more manageable steps, which makes taking action easier.
Remember: Action is the antidote.
Action is the magic, not-so-magic thing that gets us from where we are to where we want to be.
Not thinking about it. Not talking about it.
Doing it.
And when it comes to only ever being one habit away, the best step we can take is the first step toward integrating a new habit today!
Because that’s how habits are formed, right?
Habits are built by taking an action today, repeating it tomorrow, and then again the next day, and the next…
Until it becomes second nature.
Until it becomes a part of who we are and how we live.
An example from my own life is that I’ve become somewhat known for walking, at least locally within my community and social circles.
I regularly reach 15,000 steps, often 20,000, per day.
It’s an integrated part of my life, something I now just do.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have days where my motivation wavers, and going for a walk feels like an effort.
I absolutely have those days.
But it’s part of who I am. It’s how I live.
That’s the power of habit when it becomes part of your identity.
Of course, we want to make sure our habits help us, not hinder us. You can see how that could go wrong… 😬
And let’s be clear, for me and many, it doesn’t happen overnight.
It required me to keep showing up, day after day, until it no longer required much thought; I just did it.
My point being…
We’re only ever one habit away from changing the trajectory of our lives.
Remember that the next time you want to integrate a new behaviour, whether it’s walking, sleeping earlier, or even replacing a bad habit with a better one.
Whatever those habit(s) are for you, they’re built one step and one day at a time.
In the words of Lao Tzu:
“A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.”
And while I’m not a habit expert or guru of any kind, in my experience, it starts by focusing on what we do today and building on that over time.
Remember:
You’re only ever one habit away.
Pretty liberating, right?
REMINDERS
1.
Action is the antidote.
This comes from a chronic overthinker, so I’m well placed to say that overthinking leads to inaction. So take it from me that taking even a small step can break thought-paralysis and start to build some momentum.
2.
Habits shape identity.
What we do repeatedly becomes who we are. Build the habits that support the person you want to become.
3.
You’re only ever one habit away.
Lasting change doesn’t require a massive overhaul. It starts with one choice, one action, one habit repeated consistently. You’re only ever one habit away.