Good habits

We are what we repeat in our lives. Excellence is not a single act, but a habit.

Aristotle

I wish I could write better, especially since I remember how much I enjoyed it in high school, 15 years ago. Of course, I have learned over the years and returned to writing, but my enthusiasm has often been a straw. Lately, I've been searching the Internet for tips on how to write better, and I've found that the key, as with anything, is to be systematic. It's also good to have role models, read books by favorite authors, and work on your own style, but the most important thing is to write regularly.

Let's think about how to put such a habit into practice? After all, habits are what we do on autopilot, without thinking. In 2009, a study published in the European Journal of Psychology showed that people take an average of 66 days to develop a new habit. This means that if you create the right conditions, after a while you will be reaching for a book instead of the TV remote.

To understand how habits form, it's useful to learn about the "habit loop," which starts with a cue, such as a book on the nightstand that reminds us we want to read. If it's easily accessible, we're more likely to reach for it. And the benefits of reading are enormous: it improves our mental and physical health and activates the brain, while television slows it down.

Experts estimate that up to 90% of our actions are based on habit, while only 10% are conscious choices. However, we can create the conditions to make positive changes in our lives.

Al Switzler, who spoke at TEDxFremont in 2012, points out six factors for changing habits. These are:

1. Personal motivation - whether we really want to make the change;

2. Personal capability - whether we are willing and able to change;

3. Social motivation - support from family, friends or colleagues in the change process;

4. Social capability - those around us who are able to help us achieve our goal;

5. Structural motivation - our environment that encourages us to change;

6. Structural capability - whether our environment is flexible enough to support change.

Analyzing my own writing in the context of the six factors outlined by Al Switzler, I certainly feel a personal motivation - I want to do it because it makes me happy. I also meet the second factor because I have the prerequisites and feel ready and able to write. I also have the support of family and friends who enjoy my hobby. My mother worked as a journalist for many years, and she is able to suggest to me what she likes and what she would change. I also have the right conditions for my work, such as a desk where I can write, and I am also helped by quiet classical music and coffee. What's more, I have a certain amount of time each day that I can devote to developing this passion. In this way, each of these elements works together to promote the goal of writing better and more often.

Working on healthy habits can have many benefits for both our bodies and our minds. Healthy habits, such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep, can improve our mood, productivity, and overall health. They help us focus better, have more stamina, and have more energy to complete our daily tasks.

However, it is equally important to balance healthy habits with spontaneity and fun, though not necessarily useful, activities. Allowing ourselves to spontaneously go out with friends, watch a favorite movie, or have a dessert every once in a while can benefit our emotional and mental health.