Ultimate Productivity
When There’s a Plan, There’s a Way
By Claudine Motto
When it comes to changing habits, getting started is usually the toughest part – partly because we “set” the new habit casually. We think about what we want to change and all the reasons why it would be good to change, and then leave it up to willpower to pull us in the right direction.
But waiting for willpower to whisk us into better habits is just another form of procrastination, and in some ways, of avoiding responsibility – it’s like this “thing” that we either have or don’t have.
The key to developing habits is to not rely on willpower, but to make a plan – and to make that plan as soon as you commit to making that change. So for example, if you’ve been meaning to start a fitness routine, you need to think about the chain of steps you’ll need to take to make that happen.
Because the reality is that comfort zones are stronger than willpower. So as determined as you felt the night before to hit the gym first thing in the morning, it is likely you will wake up and “just not feel like going.” So what usually happens is that you take a deep breath, and try to summon up all your willpower (mixed in with some guilt and feelings of hopelessness that you’ll ever get back into shape), and go through the motions of getting ready for the gym.
But then you realize that you don’t have pants that fit you well any more, or that are that flattering. Or that your sneakers look old and probably no longer give you proper support. Or maybe everything fits fine but you can’t find your gym bag.
Now, when you’ve got a good habit going and it has become part of how you live, none of the above is really a problem. It might make you pause for a second, and you might think “I should really get some new sneakers” but the hesitation is short-lived and moments later you’re out the door on the way to the gym.
When you’re trying to kick start a new habit, though, each of these small issues is like a layer that will weigh your willpower down just a little bit more each time one pops up. And before you know it, you’re telling yourself that you can’t go to the gym because you don’t have the right clothes.
So try on those clothes the night before, set your sneakers aside, grab
your gym bag. The power of doing this before the “comfort zone
temptation” strikes is that you can make a plan around the issues when you’re in the right frame of mind to make a decision that will support what you’re trying to create. That might mean deciding you’ll bike ride around the neighborhood or do an exercise tape at home until you make it to the store to get your new clothes.
Of course you still need willpower, you still need to believe that the new habit is worth the sacrifice, and your “why” has to be big enough for you. But when you plan around the reality of what it takes to actually do what you want to start doing, you are supporting yourself to follow through – and setting yourself up for success.
2010 Claudine Motto, All Rights Reserved.
Productivity Coach and Professional Organizer Claudine Motto helps home office geniuses, entrepreneurs, and independent professionals get organized and in control of their workload so they can reach their goals with less struggle and less stress. She offers one-on-one coaching and group training programs – please visit http://www.vistalnorte.com or call 561-641-9500 for more information, to sign up for her monthly newsletter, or to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation.