An action plan to break the habits you want
It’s time to write about action plans. But not the rigid action plans that make us forget what we really want. I want to share action plans that will break habits that hold us back, the patterns that we are taught we need a lot. We created some of these habits years ago, and we believe that now they are part of their identity. The truth is that we live the majority of our lives by re-playing the same stories and thoughts.
By the age of 25 our whole identity is already built, and we think we know what to do and how. These thoughts developed our habits. Our bodies, our postures are reflections of how we see and act in the world around us.
- What if we could change some of these thoughts?
- What if we have infinite opportunities?
- What if we could break these past habits and reach our precious, mindful goals that we talked about last time?
- What if I told you that change is possible at ANY time, at any point in your life?
You have the authority to choose and change your life.
Our ultimate goal in the action plan here is to bring happiness and meaning to our life experience. These are some of the things the people who live with happiness and purpose are doing every day. Successful people work on their lives every day, they create routines that become habits and reframe their story to a new one. To this story, they want to tell to themselves and others. People get credits in public for the work they have practicing for years in private.
Action 1: Make a draft of designing your week
We are all different, but it’s essential to know how much time you spend on each thing. There are 4 personalities out there:
Practical: They want to have a strict schedule.
Action: They want to have a variety of things to do day by day.
Social: They love being surrounded by people.
Emotional: They need more space and quiet time.
Which of these are you? Now start designing your week according to your preferences.
- How many hours will you spend commuting?
- How many working hours?
- How many with your loved ones?
- How many for you?
Make a rough schedule of how your week will look. How do you want it to be? Do you think it’s realistic? Are there any activities that currently take you away from this schedule? Having a plan helps us maintain our routines and find time for ourselves.
Regardless of how your schedule looks, add some extra hours every week (I would suggest at least 2 hours a day) for something new.
Action 2: New habits
Our bodies and minds need 8 weeks to develop new habits and routines. Adding some extra time to your schedule will be the perfect excuse to create something new and positive.
What are the things that you want to learn, do, and can help you be happier?
Exercising? Meditating? Reading? Writing? Painting? What do you enjoy doing and lose yourself?
I am allocating each day 1,5 hours to where I meditate and exercise. I listen to podcasts when I commute, try to read each time before I go to bed. I have 2 blocks a week (2 hours each) where I write. 4 years ago, I didn’t do any of these. I would exercise only before the summer; I never meditated, I would only write when I was sad. It took time, and I started slowly. I couldn’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I knew that I really had to keep trying.
The person I am now can’t live without these habits. These habits are my inspiration and motivation. I get energy and happiness from learning; I get to focus and strengthen from exercising and connecting with meditation. I am much healthier and happier than when I was 26.
And if all these blocks sound a lot, start little by little. Exercise for 20 minutes a day, meditate for 10 minutes a day. But start. Start being the best version of you now!
Action 3: Keep positive and enjoy the ride
Get ready; there will be days where it’s all going to look like non-sense. There will be gloomy days. There will be days where you might not be as motivated. IT IS OK. These days, find comfort in anything you want. Watch a whole Netflix series, drink a bottle of wine, call your friend and talk for hours on the phone, or stay by yourself. It is ok to have these feelings.
What I want you to remember and do only is one thing. Every day, regardless of how this day looks like, go to the mirror and look at yourself. Then tell yourself: “I love you for who you are”. Just that. But do it every day.
And in the days where the sun is not shining, ask this question: “Why do I feel this way? What would make me happy now?” And follow your instinct. Do as you feel.
Enjoy these days, enjoy each hour of this journey. Be more spontaneous, be more courageous. Build your strengths and appreciate yourself. That’s all I am asking from you. And I can guarantee, the more you enjoy this process, the more magic is going to come to your life.
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With love and light always. Feel free to send me any comments you have.