"On-The-Journey" Podcast — Consistent habit practice: the key to self-improvement

Pod-SPECTRUM —

Hello.

Welcome to another episode of 'On the Journey' Podcast, yay

'On-The-Journey' is a haven for youths to share their experiences, setbacks and breakthrough. This platform helps the youths become more aware of themselves to better navigate the terrains of life. Simply, it seeks to make the youths happy.

I'm your jolly host Miskilu Aminat Olaitan

Today, I'll be shedding more light on the notion that it takes 21 days to master a new habit; is this just a myth? As youths, we are constantly on the journey of self-improvement thereby new habits get born. The question is: should you even ask how long it will take you to automate that habit of writing, reading, sticking to a plan or goal, sky-diving ( I know that's like one crazy habit but you get my point) or so many other new habits you intend to create?

Do not deem it as over-shooting my point if I tell you that the 21 days theory is in fact a myth In the world of actual habit creation.

Let's rewind back to 1960, at the publication of the book ‘psycho cybernetic’ by Dr Maxwll Maltz. He observed that his patients were exactly by 21 days to become self-aware of a new body part that was surgically fixed into their body. An example is a nose surgery that takes the same number of days for the patient to feel it. Also, the Phantom limb in a patient also took twenty-one days to be felt.

So following this book, the idea that it takes 21 days for habit formation became popularised. What got omitted as the theory spread was the fact it takes 'at least' 21 days and not exactly 21 days. 

Psychologists have come up with different theories afterwards to debunk this myth, such as 66 days and so on.

To the point:

It is okay to not have normalised that habit even at the completion of 21 days. Why not make it more practical; stay consistent and revel in the process of reading first to arrive at the habit of writing. Trust the process and enjoy it. See it as a means in itself and not as an end in itself. 

If you want to discontinue the habit of piling dirty dishes or eating junk, make the process of curbing this habit enjoyable and easy. Try washing plates in 'one's or 'two's or immediately after a meal. Redesign your surroundings so that you can't get junk easily, and replace it with perhaps healthy snacks or stuck-up with healthy foodstuffs. You could also make it hard for you to continue an unfavourable habit such as doom-strolling on tik-tok, Instagram or any social media app. You can decide to meter your data not upload messages on these apps; stay away from your phone for a while or refuse to even subscribe at all.

So, as you constantly seek to improve yourself and form new habits, know that there is no good or bad habits; there are only favourable habits or serving habits. Also, enjoy the process towards automating a habit rather than the habit itself, and embrace the consistent practice of a habit over the number of days it is practised.

And it's a wrap on today's episode of "On The Journey". Don't forget to check us out on Anchor and Spotify for the audio version of this transcription. Remember you're doing great with your baby steps and gradual but consistent efforts. 

Thanks in advance for checking out our page. Stay positive! See you.

By AmyWrites