3 Benefits of Building Long Term Habits for Success
Recently, members of my team were discussing ideas for an upcoming event; during the meeting, the topic of New Year’s resolutions came up. They seem like a great idea, but all too often, they only last for a few weeks (if that). Studies show that 80 to 90% of people fail to meet the goals they set on January 1st. What seems exciting at first quickly falls by the wayside, and the long-term habits we hoped to build are quickly forgotten.
This isn’t because the goals aren’t worthy, and it isn’t because we lack commitment. More often than not, it’s because we didn’t take the time to build the habits that would have led us to success.
Think about it: if your goal is to lose 30 pounds, that’s not going to be the result of eating salads for a few weeks. If you want to take control of your calendar, that’s not going to be the result of a one-time planning session. Yet this is usually what happens with resolutions.
We start out strong, take a few action steps, and then leave the goal behind when we don’t see immediate results.
This doesn’t have to be your result, though. By creating an intentional plan to build strong habits, you will also find it easier to reach your goals!
Long Term Habits Explained: How Repetition Drives Success
Habits are formed through repetition and reward. When we see value in something, we repeat it; when we receive positive results, that repetition is enforced.
Over time, what we practice becomes a habit – and these habits form the basis of many of the decisions we make! Once the habits are formed, this happens without you even having to think about it. Instead, you just do it.
Success becomes the obvious result.
This is what many people miss when they set New Year’s resolutions. Instead, they decide to attack the entire goal at once without building the foundation – the habits – that make all the difference.
When you are intentional about building the habits that will lead you to reaching your goals, you’ll find that success is much easier to attain!
Benefit 1: Cultivating Tenacity and Resiliency
As nice as it would be to reach our goals by simply wanting them, it just doesn’t work this way. Goals worth achieving are worth working for, even when things don’t go according to plan.
Ups and downs will happen. Plans will go sideways. People you thought you could depend on will fall short. Unanticipated challenges will arise.
This is where strong habits come in.
Jim Rohn, an entrepreneur and author, once said, “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” Habits – things that you practice so often they simply become part of you – are what will provide the tenacity and resiliency you’ll need to reach your goals when motivation falls away.
Benefit 2: Strong Habits will Equip You to Become a Strong Leader
Think about the people you consider to be role models. What is it that draws you to them?
Do they give up easily, flitting from goal to goal based on what seems like a good idea at the time? Or are they consistent, reliable, and persistent about moving step by step toward their goals?
More than likely, you chose Option 2.
Building strong habits isn’t always a “fun” thing to do, but it is a valuable process – and those habits will help you to become the person others look up to.
And when that happens, you’ll have some incredible opportunities to make a positive impact in the lives of others!
This is one of my favorite parts of leadership – being able to develop and mentor my team, help my clients grow, and cheer each of them on as they become even more than they realized they could be!
Benefit 3: Becoming More Productive, Efficient, and Effective
Forming habits is the brain’s way to become more efficient. In this way, habits are like systems – they help us to streamline the processes that we undertake and the decisions that we make.
Instead of having to put significant thought into every action, weighing the pros and the cons each time, strong habits allow us to prioritize the actions that will bring us closer to our goals and complete them more effectively.
In our personal lives, this can result in better health, less stress, and stronger relationships. In our businesses, the result is a stronger team culture, better systems, and higher profitability.
Sound good? It definitely does to me!
So don’t wait until the beginning of the year – surround yourself with the right resources to help you create the habits you want to build!