Rituals

I walk downstairs, get the coffee going, drink a cup of cold water, and crack open my book where I left off yesterday.

It’s a ritual.

I don’t even have to think about it.

It’s the same thing…every single morning.

You have rituals, whether you know it or not.

As humans, we are creatures of habit.

Often times we repeat so many things every single day, think of things like brushing your teeth, showering, the commute to work, etc.

All of these things happen automatically and non-consciously.

Chances are what we do today is what we will do tomorrow.

If you have to think about something each time you do it, the likelihood is that you won’t keep doing it for very long.

That’s why things like fitness, nutrition, and other habit changes are so hard.

In the beginning, you have to think about it so much.

We also know that things like willpower and discipline are finite resources, we only have so much “in the tank.”

As time goes on, we often just say “screw it.”

That’s why I like the word ritual.

A positive ritual is a behavior that becomes automatic over time, fueled by some deeply held value.

That’s the hardest part about change and staying consistent, and that’s why I’ve always driven home “start with why.”

In order to create lasting change, to create a habit, to create a ritual, it has to be fueled by a deeply held value.

Meaning, you have to really believe it, you have to truly want it.

You can only “grind” through something for so long.

So, for today, think about the positive rituals you have in your life, all of the things you do automatically, and look at some of the new changes you’re trying to make and see how you can move it towards a ritual.

1% Better.

Dedicated to Your Success,

Doug Spurling