Consistent daily habits are the best way to learn any new skill.
Recently I had an urge to learn to juggle balls. No, I’m not running away with the circus.
But, I’ve always been fascinated with watching three or more balls, plates, fire sticks, whatever…. rotate effortlessly through the air in a synced pattern. It’s mesmerising.
Running away for a life in the circus aside, I’m more motivated to learn juggling because of these wholesome injections into my health this daily habit will bring.
Three main reasons I am learning to juggle:
- to improve my peripheral vision – it will give my singular forward eye focus a rest
- for better cognitive function because learning something new lays down new neural pathways
- and, to build my consistency muscle
Oh, there is a #4 – because it’s fun and a wee bit challenging.
It’s reason number three (building a consistency muscle) that I’m most interested in as it relates to a very common problem that everyone has experienced at some point when building daily habits.
A goal or commitment ends up fizzling out
Have you ever:
- decided to get healthier, and then fallen off the wagon after a couple of weeks (days)
- joined a gym, went for the first two weeks and then gave up
- taken supplements for two weeks and now they sit in the cupboard
- or, started saving for a holiday and then forgot to regularly put money away?
Why does this happen?
It’s usually because you don’t see an immediate result. You become discouraged. It gets too hard or, dare I say, boring. You give up.
People overestimate what they can do in a week, and underestimate what they can do in a year.
The reality is, we make commitments and then don’t focus on the daily habits, the bite sized steps to get there – by being consistent.
Take my juggling commitment.
I have a vision of me, standing confidently, juggling three balls effortlessly. I’d love to say I can do that already, or even by next week.
The reality is I’m really uncoordinated and all I’ve been doing each day, and probably for the next little while, is tossing one ball from one hand to the other trying not to drop it.
Every day I’ve really wanted to quit. I’ve felt frustrated. But, I know I can learn this. Afterall, other people can juggle!
Here’s how to stay consistent with daily habits
Don’t focus on the big picture, the end result. Focus on the small step, the consistent daily or weekly habit to get you there.
Tossing one ball every day.
Using a visual tool is the fastest way to measure progress and gives your brain the visual signal you’re moving forward and learning something new.
The best tool to build consistency is a habit tracker.
I’ve put together a Habit Tracker that you can download here.
When you mark off a habit each time you do it, you begin to build a fabulous visual record of your progress.
Whether you’ve set your habit for every day, three times a week, every Saturday or once a month, the visual pattern will build over time. This gives your brain a “reward”, an emotional anchor which spurs you on.
Bite Sized Action
I’ll get back to you in about a year about my juggling progress, maybe even with a video.
In the meantime, think of something you want to learn, something you want to change and begin today.
Download this done for you Habit Tracker and get started.
If you want to talk to me about how to build consistency into your life and get things done, click here to book a Free Chat with me today. I might even show you how I can juggle.
And, don’t forget to forward this email to someone you care about. They can be your habit buddy.
Want to jump on my email list too? Yes please!
With your consistently good habits in mind,
Catherine x
