The Mindful Sprint 3: Find Cues for Habits
Your habits build your destiny. Find cues that trigger routines.
Quote
Watch your actions, they become your habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. —Frank Outlaw
Technique
Use mindfulness to observe the habit loop—cue, routine, reward. What routines consume our time? What cues precede unproductive routines? Each habitual routine produces a reward; what is it? Relief from boredom? Something else? What opportunity does it preclude? Can you remove the cue, or redirect it to a more productive routine?
Habits determine our character and destiny, yet we rarely acknowledge their power. One mindless hour after another gaming, drinking alcohol, watching TV, or reading opinions can build an unproductive, unhappy destiny. But one mindful hour after another learning, helping, creating, or writing can build opportunities, friends, productivity, and health.
Case Study
Robert Downey Jr. struggled with drug addiction early in his career, causing huge setbacks. Realizing it threatened his future, he first entered rehab, then avoided cues (places, people, situations) that triggered substance abuse, surrounded himself with supportive friends, family, and mentors, and focused on self-improvement. He rebuilt his career and is now one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood.
More
Crystal Raypole, Breaking Down the Habit Loop
Take Home
Reflect on the last 24 hours. Log how you spent each hour (or use the Hours TimeLord tracker). Explore distractions honestly, they stealthily consume our time. What cues preceded them?
Ah brilliant! I read every morning and meditate (thanks to what I have learned from Dan and Mirela) same time every day. This habit has made the biggest difference in my life: how I approach problems, my emotions/ reactions, accomplishments. This has helped every aspect of my life: work, relationships with my friends family my little zoo and my health. Every thing we do, needs to be done with the right intentions and habits to achieve our goals. Without that our journey is aimless with no way of getting to our desired destination.