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Healthy Inspiration from SparkPeople

Motivational Quote - Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.

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Every giant leap forward is in reality a series of baby steps. For every major breakthrough you see in your performance, don’t forget all the hundreds of little things that had to happen, day after day, for that to happen. Habits are the basis of improvement, but they don’t happen overnight. The easiest – and most difficult – way to improve your life is to make or break a habit. It’s easy because habits are built one single action at a time. It’s difficult because you need to be consistent. It’s much more of a mental game than a physical challenge. If you don’t see progress right away, don’t be discouraged. In fact, some of the habits you have right now have been a lifetime in the making and repeating. They can be as stubborn as a mule. It might take some coaxing to get them to move.

 

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Member comments

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JLWILSON37

6/10/2012 12:14:36 PM

today I went to McDonalds and got 2 parfaits vs the mcgriddle. I am happy about staying focus.

BAMAJAM

6/8/2012 1:41:26 PM

Habits can be like stubborn mules, yes, --- but I have recently kicked the bad habit of drinking soda pop. I liked all kinds, and learned that even the diet varieties are very unhealthy. I have quit completely, five months now. Used to drink 4 to 5 cans per day, but now I drink water. Yes, old folks can learn better habits! lol

505ANNAP

6/8/2012 12:17:28 PM

For those of us who are creatures of habit, this is a way to harness that trait for the best. I personally am an extreme creature of habit. It's very easy to predict what I'll do because I do the same things over and over, whether they are good habits or bad.

Now the trick is to re-learn so my bad habits are replaced with those that serve me better. I can then put that energy to a better use. That is how I change a habit: I know it takes energy to do whatever and I make a conscious decision to use that energy in a way that serves me best. I have to remind myself often and one way I do that is by putting a rubber band (not too tight) around a wrist to remind me that I'm not doing whatever I want to change in the old way I'm used to doing it, I'm doing it the smarter, more conscious way. If I mess up, I don't give up. I just keep the rubber band on my wrist to remind me to do better next time. I also have to remind myself to be kind to myself and not too critical or harsh, to treat myself as I would treat someone else in my care.

CAROLJ35

3/15/2012 9:59:21 PM

CAROLJ35's SparkPage
Very interesting quote!

MAYBER

3/15/2012 5:16:02 PM

MAYBER's SparkPage
The easiest – and most difficult – way to improve your life is to make or break a habit. It’s easy because habits are built one single action at a time. It’s difficult because you need to be consistent. One day at a time

REGSHAR

3/15/2012 10:31:25 AM

REGSHAR's SparkPage
Habits are hard to break, but were not made at once so will take time to change the bad ones. I guess it's better to concentrate on one at a time otherwise we'll get discouraged.

HYATTI1

3/15/2012 9:30:48 AM

HYATTI1's SparkPage
As much as I have read Mark Twain I have never heard that quote... Needless to say we are looking for ways to break bad habits.

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