Being successful in life requires good habits. One definition of a habit is “a regular practice, or usual manner of behavior.” We all have habits, some good, some not so good. Good habits help us become better people, achieving our goals. Bad habits have the opposite effect. Habits can become addictions. An addiction is defined as “ a strong physical or psychological need or urge to do something.” I think of addictions as extremes of habits. Whereas habits can be made and broken by oneself, dealing with addictions may require the assistance of others. I think of habits as healthier than addictions.

I was thinking of habits on my daily walk this morning. I had not wanted to take my daily walk today since doing so takes forty-five minutes, and I was leaving to go out of town. But if I had not walked today, I would have broken a two-week stint of walking daily. Once broken, it would be easier to not walk the next day. I walk for my physical and mental health, listening to podcasts.

Walking has always been my exercise of choice. I do not like machines, so going to a gym to work out does not interest me at all. We even have an exercise bike at home, which I do not use, nor does Mike. It is just taking up floor space. It hasn’t been used in probably at least five years. When we moved a couple of years ago I told Mike that if he did not use the bike in three months, I was getting rid of it. (I never planned to use it!) Almost two years later, I have not kept my promise. That is another of my habits, making threats or promises that I do not keep!

I stopped drinking alcohol almost five and a half years ago. The initial reason that I stopped was to lose weight. I did lose weight, (fifty-seven pounds!) although I don’t think the alcohol change had much to do with that. I had become an almost daily drinker of (usually) Chardonnay. It was obviously a habit, and would have become an addiction if I had continued. With a mother and father who were alcoholics, I knew the danger was too great for me to tempt the odds. Thankfully I was able to stop without any assistance, and I have not been tempted to resume drinking. I feel so much better, although I did not know that I needed to feel better! We have a culture that promotes alcohol, although there are more people now who are choosing non-alcoholic beverages. I have decided that I do not need nor want non-alcoholic beverages. Iced tea is my beverage of choice!

For me, habits are easier to make than to break. I know myself well enough to understand how to be successful with habits. I have a lack of consistency challenge, and I have started and stopped many walking routines through the years. While I know that I should be able to take a day off from walking without thinking that doing so will ruin my commitment, I know myself well enough to resist doing so.

Is there a positive habit to which you are committed? How do you stay committed, and what helps you to do so? What about addictions? Do any come to mind? Is there anything that you want to change to be your best self? I think I have a sugar addiction, and that is my next growth area.

Habits can be a help or a hindrance. Addictions are usually negative, and take away from us being our best.

Let’s make sure that what we spend our time doing reinforces our best selves.