Key #3 to effectively managing your time is having supportive habits. We all are in the habit of doing certain things, whether they are good or what’s considered to be bad habits. Habits are defined as “routines of behavior that are repeated regularly, tend to occur subconsciously, without directly thinking consciously about them”. Your habits are a prime factor in what leads you to being productive or not. They make the difference when it comes to getting things done.
So, what are your habits when it comes to managing your time? Do those habits support you or present more of a challenge for you? Whatever you do all the time is what you do best. If you have a bad habit it’s something that you do best and being good at whatever that is will keep you from your top level of productivity. Your habits make you who you are.
To shift into habits that support you, you first have to understand that it takes 21 days to develop a new habit. That’s the amount of time that it takes to train the brain. Sometimes it takes longer. I recommend that you give yourself 30 days to develop a new habit. You might think that’s a long time, but it really isn’t. You may not want to focus on too many new habits all at once. Be realistic, patient and honor the process.
Start by writing down the new habits that you want to develop. Your head is a dangerous place for commitments to hang out. When you write them down they become real and you get clarity about what you want to create and what that means for you. It also helps to keep you committed.
Once you have that clarity, enroll a friend in supporting you. Share with them what habit you’re giving up and what you are creating. Keep them in the loop on how you’re doing and of any challenges that come up for you. Allow them to help you through the rough spots and get you back on track so that you can successfully develop the new habits. If you find that you’re in need of more support, consider hiring a coach. Make sure that your new habits are consistent and that you do them every day for 30 days.
Understand that you are going to go through a process with your new habits. The first 30 days will present some challenges and you might even feel as though you want to quit. After a few months it becomes easier to keep the commitment and things run smooth at that point. Once you’ve reached a year or so, it becomes harder to not be in the habit because that habit has become part of your routine and part of who you are.