Tomorrow they start opening up things in Dallas again. I am not so sure I think that is a great idea... but I am also painfully aware that there are a great many people who cannot continue on the path that we are on. I think for me, I will probably keep lying low... and try to stay out of groups of people in public places. I have started doing my shopping during off hours because the grocery has got to be the worst place of all. Besides picking up food at a few restaurants and hitting the Pet Supply store, I really have not ventured out where there are people. And I guess I will make a choice to keep it that way.
In July of 2015 I wrote that 14 days of doing x would create a new habit. Apparently that belief has been proven wrong. Not long ago on a Podcast I heard that a habit is not set in cement without an additional 18 to 254 days!! With the average being 66. That is a far cry from 14. So it takes two months of consistent behavior to create a habit... at which point if you are not there, you go two more... and if you are still not there, you will at least know you are halfway!!
This came to mind because I came across another article on understanding the difference between habits and routines. Simply put, you need to know the difference between the two so that you are not setting yourself up for failure, and disappointment. By definition, any activity that is deliberate, or requires concentration and additional effort is NOT a habit and cannot become a habit. This activity is most likely a routine.
Routines are sequences of actions that we regularly follow. Habits are a type of routine that we regularly follow; but not every routine can become a habit. Habits can be executed without thought while doing other things, often. See the full article here. Prior to reading this article, I had not really thought about the difference between these two things. But it certainly does explain some of my frustration when I have a routine that I felt "should be a habit" by now...
Motivation is a key factor as well as behaviors and actions. So at the end of the day to make this short, we are likely all creating some good, or better habits. This would include things like washing our hands frequently and effectively; keepings our houses picked up and neater than perhaps they were; and taking a walk every day. We probably have some new routines to go along with this - like cleaning our houses; cooking meals; and for me riding my bike and writing my blog!
Are you developing habits or routines (or both)?
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