As the old adage goes; old habits die hard!
No matter what you do; a bit or it remains!
There is an interesting book on habits by Charles Duhigg.
One habit which we all are guilty of is absolutely unnecessary but we do it anyway!
Now everyone brushes his or her teeth! The freshness and the minty feeling you get makes you feel nice and have a sense of achievement!
But that is just an LED light on a meter which serves no function!
Charles Duhigg’s states that the tingle on the tongue produced by the toothpaste is the reward you expect when you brush your teeth!
That’s either due to mint or other pungent substance! And the fact of the matter is that it’s totally unnecessary to clean your teeth!
But it’s a habit! And habit can be good or bad!
In fact Duhigg describes willpower as a “muscle” that can get fatigued with overuse but can also be strengthened through practice.
Now since habits are some things which gets embedded in our life and are really difficult to get rid of it is always better to form good ones! These habits which have a positive effect on your life are called the Keystone habits!
Keystone habits have a ripple effect that can transform other areas of your life!
There are some Keystone habits which you can form and try in your house or office!
The first and foremost is Exercise! People who regularly exercise tend to eat healthier, have more energy, and are more productive at work. The discipline required for a consistent workout routine can influence other positive behaviors, such as better sleep and reduced stress!
One of the best things you can do when you get up is MAKE YOUR BED! This small task sets a tone of rigor and discipline for the day. According to Duhigg, it’s correlated with a greater sense of well-being and increased productivity!
Then you must make notes or write what you want to do or just pen down your thoughts on a note or like I do; Google Keep! This daily planning and journaling is actually taking time to plan your day and this helps you organize your thoughts, focus on priorities, and reflect on your goals. This can lead to greater self-awareness and improved decision-making!
Another great habit you can have is Eating together as a family!
This simple habit can strengthen relationships, encourage mindful eating, and create space for meaningful conversations!
Mindful meditation can also lead to reduced stress, improved focus, and greater emotional resilience, which enhances productivity and relationships.
Even for organizations there are some Keystone habits like Focusing on safety: At the manufacturing company Alcoa, CEO Paul O’Neill made employee safety his top priority. This single keystone habit forced a change in communication, led to more efficient work processes, and ultimately improved the company’s financial performance!
Another habit is developing a “customer-first” mindset: For a customer service team, this habit can lead to better problem-solving, improved customer retention, and stronger brand loyalty.
Now this is a habit which many may not like if done frequently but weekly team meetings are good! They should be done once in a while and you must be serious about it! Holding consistent meetings can increase accountability, boost team alignment, and improve overall operational efficiency!
Remember that it takes a little time to form a habit but a life time to get rid of it! So form good ones so that you do not have to get rid of it even a bit! Like listening to good music! Maybe from a legend like Sachin Dev Burman!
Now get the habit of early to bed!
SHubh ratri!
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