W kolejnym artykule z letniego numeru naszej anglojęzycznej gazetki szkolnej AimHigh Magazine, autorstwa Natalii Janiak, zastanowimy się, jak powstają nasze codzienne nawyki i dlaczego tak silnie wpływają na nasze życie. Pokazujemy proste sposoby na budowanie dobrych przyzwyczajeń oraz skuteczne metody ograniczania tych złych.
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Change Habits and Achieve Big Result
Habits shape our lives and strongly influence most of our everyday decisions, both small and big. Many habits are unconscious, and sometimes we feel like we do not have control over them. So how can we build good habits and get rid of bad ones?
The first and quite surprising idea is to focus not only on the goal, but on the process of getting there. Both successful and unsuccessful people often have similar goals, but what really matters is what they do every day. The best way to make progress is through small changes. Even improving by one percent each day can lead to great results over time. A very small and simple habit may seem unimportant, but if we repeat it often, we will start to see progress. Habits are made to solve problems using as little energy as possible, so the easier they are, the more likely we are to follow them.
Another important point is that good habits should be easy and clear. If something is difficult or confusing, it takes more energy to start. That is why we should make things as simple as possible. It is also helpful to change our environment. For example, if you want to exercise more, you can leave your mat and dumbbells in a visible place so you remember to use them. It is best to start with very small steps. If you want to train for a marathon, on the first day you can just put on your sports shoes. On the second day, go outside. On the third day, take a short walk. Step by step, the habit becomes stronger and easier, and you may even start to enjoy it.
Another important part of a successful habit is that it should be attractive and satisfying. The more enjoyable something is, the more likely we are to repeat it. When we feel pleasure, our motivation increases. However, when habits become routine, they can feel boring, and we may lose motivation. A good solution is to join a group or community where this habit is normal. This can give us motivation and a sense of belonging. It is also helpful to reward yourself after finishing a task, even with something small. This helps your brain connect the activity with something positive. You can also combine something enjoyable with something useful, or do something nice before a difficult task to feel more motivated.
Many habits happen in small moments that decide what we do next. We can compare them to crossroads that lead us in different directions. Sometimes just one decision can affect the next few hours. That is why new habits should be very short at the beginning. They should not take more than two minutes. It is impossible to improve a habit that does not exist, so starting is the most important step. Repeating the habit regularly is also very important. It is better to do something often for a short time than rarely for a long time. If you stop for a while, it is important to come back to the habit as quickly as possible.
If you want to break a bad habit that takes your time and lowers your quality of life, you should do the opposite. Make the habit less visible by removing things that remind you of it. Think about the benefits of stopping the habit to make it less attractive. You can also make the habit more difficult, so that it requires more effort. It is less likely that you will return to a bad habit if it becomes uncomfortable. You can also ask someone to help you and check your progress. Feeling responsible to another person can increase your motivation.
In conclusion, habits are a very important part of our lives, and our ability to control them can influence our future and quality of life. That is why we should try to make good habits simple and enjoyable, and introduce them step by step. Over time, even small actions can lead to big results. Trust the process.
Natalia Janiak (1a)
