“It’s not your salary that makes you rich; it’s your spending habits.” – Charles A Jaffe
One of our biggest challenges to building wealth is not found in investment strategies, what job we can secure or how much money has been gifted to us. One of our biggest challenges to overcome is the habits that are holding us back.
Habits are automatic behaviours that we repeat regularly and tend to occur subconsciously. Over time, they shape our character, conduct and decisions and contribute to our overall well-being and success.
Habits make tasks easier and more efficient, freeing up our mental energy for other things. Good habits often lead to positive outcomes for us, such as better health, improved relationships, and greater success at work, while bad habits can have the opposite effect.
Developing and maintaining good habits is crucial for our personal growth and success. Because they’re often subconscious, simply becoming aware of repeated behaviours is a powerful first step to deciding which habits we’d like to change, and which ones we’d like to focus on strengthening.
The habits that hold us back are most often formed from limiting beliefs. These beliefs may have been conditioned into us at an early age, and without realising it, we see many situations as all-or-nothing and can miss other opportunities for growth and change.
Avoiding an all-or-nothing mindset is a helpful and encouraging way to choose and change our habits. This approach sets us on a firmer footing to recognise all our progress, even when it follows a setback.
Adopting a new habit can be challenging, but it’s important to show yourself compassion during the process. It requires you to make sacrifices, such as dedicating time and energy, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. However, being kind to yourself and acknowledging your efforts can help you stay motivated and stick to the habit. So, take a deep breath and remind yourself that forming a new habit takes time, and that it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.
Visualising your future self can also be a powerful motivator when it comes to forming new habits. Think about how your future self will feel if you take a small step towards your goal today. Will they be proud of your progress? Will they feel happier and healthier? Let these positive thoughts motivate you when you need a boost of inspiration. Remember, every small step counts, and the happier, healthier you is worth the effort. So, keep pushing forward and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.