Power of Habit

Habits play an important role in everyone’s life. At times, they become so significant that they tend to control our lifestyle and determine our character. So, what is Habit?

An activity or practice that is done frequently, on a regular basis is called habit. It develops over time. It could be a human behavior, a physical activity or a thought process in mind. It becomes so crucial for a person subconsciously that it is hard to give up. It does not need any effort to occur, it just happens.

Some people bite their nails. When there is a pen in hand, people start scribbling on woods, chairs, anywhere. Smoking. Shaking the legs while seated. Chewing tobacco. Even people have such habit, that they need to drink tea or coffee or they need a smoke before going to toilet. Otherwise it does not come out.

Depending upon nature of habit it is called either a good habit or a bad habit, at times just habit.  Good habits tend to yield fruitful results where as bad habits could impact your life negatively.

Some good habits like reading books or newspaper can keep you updated, increasing your knowledge. By taking regular notes, you seldom forget things to be done. Keeps objects in places mean you don’t need to spend time searching for them. Practicing yoga or exercise regularly keeps you healthy. Saving money without spending on unnecessary things can help you in future.

Chewing tobacco can ruin your teeth and gums, moreover t causes cancer. Drinking too much tea or coffee makes you a caffeine addict. Consuming alcohol, a very common and growing habit among the youth can harm the ability to think properly on the long run and various health hazards. Interrupting people in the middle can make you very unpopular among friends. Gambling habit can make you lose money.

I have a friend who needs a smoke break every hour. It affects his performance at work, because it takes fifteen minutes in total to come down by lift, smoke and to go back to his desk. In a working day, he spends 2 hours for smoking, out of rest six hours he must work along with other needs. Consuming 8 to 10 cigarettes a day, does not do any good to his health.

Can a habit be changed? Because habits are so powerful, the become an integral part of our life, thus becoming hard to give up. You must remember you did not develop the habit overnight. It happened over time. Scientists have found out it takes at least 21 days of regular practice for something to become a habit.

That does not mean habits cannot be changed. It is possible. It takes a bit of conscious effort and awareness. It cannot be done immediately but if you give yourself time and with determination you can do it.

You can cut down from 12 cigarettes to 11 for few days and then to 10. And it can be reduced to a very minimum. Instead of chewing tobacco before toilet try drinking a glass of water. Habits can be changed and replaced with another one as well.

A practice or activity, before it becomes a habit may seem trivial initially. But when it turns into a habit, unless it is a good one, takes time to be replaced.  When you do something, observe yourself are you falling into a pattern doing it repeatedly. Good habits can make your life better and a bad one can ruin it. That is the power of habit. Life can change drastically because of them.

Choose your action consciously.

Positivity of Saying 'NO'

Most of you might have watched the movie ‘Pink’. It was one of the best movies, different from mainstream. In the movie, there was a scene of courtroom where veteran Actor Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of a lawyer says, “The word ‘No’ in itself is a sentence.” Interesting. 

The word ‘Yes’, is a sentence as well. People mostly emphasize on saying ‘yes’. It represents positivity. That is true but not entirely. 

Saying ‘yes’, depending on situation can be negative. It could impact you badly. Take in consideration a situation. A month ago, you have planned to go on vacation with family or friends. You have made all the arrangements. Suddenly a new assignment comes up. You are intimated about it and asked to change you vacation plan because that assignment is very important, the client must be impressed, and the leadership wants the task to be completed within time frame. What would be your response? Yes or No. If you say ‘yes’ think what you are losing. The task might get completed in time or maybe not. But you will miss a quality time with your friends or family. Your planning goes in vain. You will end up disappointing your close ones who add value to your life. And in the end a piece of your mind. 

You should leave office at 6pm every day, but you are asked to extend till 7pm. What would you do? Once a while it is fine but not everyday. 

A student is interested in studying English literature but he is asked by his parents to take Mathematics. If he agrees, then his parents might be happy at that point of time. But later all of them will be disappointed. The student will not do well in the subject and the parents will regret that their son/daughter is not studying well. 

Similar thing happens in a relationship, if it is too stressing or things are not working out between the two, then they must stop. Otherwise it will grow bitter day by day. 

“No” is just a two-letter word which is a very powerful sentence. It defines your interest and decision. You must represent yourself in the situation where it is wise to say ‘no’. And you must be wise enough to choose between ‘yes’ and ‘no’. 

When to say ‘no’? it is very crucial. If you are not interested in something, say it. Say ‘no’ by choice. It gives you power to deny something. You could be in dilemma for saying yes. If you are not capable of doing something say ‘no’ at that moment. Otherwise you will be stressed out. Later you should make yourself capable enough before you agree to take up the task. No one would wish to end up in misery by saying ‘yes’ when you could avoid it.  If there is too much expectation associated with something, if you say ‘no’ the level of expectation goes down. But if you can do well it is blissful for everyone. That is why it is wise to know when you should say the word. 

You must remember you cannot always say ‘no’. If you can do something, you should do it without denying. When you say yes or no, it shows your strength & weakness. And accordingly, you should work on them.

‘No’ is a sentence which gives you enormous power. You should not misuse it. It shows your courage to accept or deny. It defines your choice and decision, represents both your strength and weakness. It is the power that comes from within.

Let your ‘NO’ bring positivity, prosperity and power to your life.  

More books on: Art of saying No