Mini Habits                   

                                            – Stephen Guise

Mini Habits (2013) promises you that smaller habits give bigger results. Organising and changing mundane activities and habits, bring about enduring outcomes in the long road to success. The book is an ultimate guide for anyone trying to achieve their goals, such as weight loss, improving and polishing their skills, or those hoping to take small steps for a better tomorrow.

Habits are the conscious or unconscious choices made and practised by an individual, thus forming an integral part of oneself. They have the power to influence a person, both in good and bad ways. In Mini Habits, we study and explain the formation and root cause of these habits, admonishments on how to control them and to transform the misleading practices into beneficial ones. The book analyses and provides solutions to the rarely addressed qualms in your day to day life, ranging from waking up early in the morning to using smartphone apps that ensure effective outcome. 

Daily routines become habits when they are done automatically. These activities seep in organically and are performed almost mechanically, without prior thoughts or preconceptions. Do you plan and execute your quotidian practices like taking a shower or brushing your teeth? No. It’s because when repeated daily, they develop into habits. According to researchers at Duke University, 45 percent of the actions we do are habitual. Strenuous tasks can have an adverse effect on our regular behaviours. When stressed, habits are the easier gateway to escape from a tedious situation. Additionally, studies at UCLA explain the human tendency to revert to habitual behaviours under a pressurized state of mind. Is stress the reason for your bad habits? Anxiety hits you hard during crucial decision making moments and habits are one domain that doesn’t demand any extra input or effort. So most likely people succumb to bad habits during tough times, such as constantly checking the phone or eating a lot of sweets.

If you have bad habits you are looking to break, you are the right audience for following. Habits get ingrained only through repetitive actions, so abstaining from unhealthy practices would give remarkable results. Once our brains become attuned to new practices, they will be etched in our behaviour. The basal ganglia of our brain controls the procedural and habit learning processes. If you are used to choosing vanilla flavoured ice cream, your brain is programmed to opt vanilla whenever you get into a fancy gelato shop. Hence, basal ganglia would turn your brain into an autopilot mode often outsmarting the prefrontal cortex, responsible for the active decision making process. Being accustomed to healthy habits is the primary way to have an agreeable change in lifestyle.

Not motivation, but willpower gives birth to new habits. You get motivated if you feel inspired or elated, therefore, it is based on your emotional intelligence. Motivational drive exhorts you to do 20 pushups one day, but none the next day. Renowned psychologists also admit the potentiality of willpower in nurturing positive habits. Mini habits play a commendable role in sharpening your willpower. Start by choosing a target that takes minimal effort for completion. Making tiny changes like meditating each day, cooking new dishes, engaging more with your family will fill you with optimism. Once you conquer the most challenging part of transforming from a stationary state to that of action, rest is easy. You will find surprising results in the long run.

Small deeds can have a great impact on oneself. Be courageous, and venture into new horizons! If you are brave enough to conquer the inner fears and prejudices, you can achieve success in no time. Don’t be swayed by the benchmark set by people around you, because in most cases it will curb your true potential. Achieving minute goals everyday boosts your self-esteem and confidence. Mini habits also help to rein in and control your actions. Power to choose and make independent decisions desired by any individual, is possible. According to a survey conducted in Denmark, 90 percent of the employees are happy when they enjoy the freedom to implement decisions and control their work.

Devising strategic plans is prerequisite in putting your mini habits into action. Initial steps include creating a list of the habits you want to achieve, along with the reasons to pursue them. A well-defined purpose of action should be followed by habit cues. Habit cues are reminders that aid you in performing your mini tasks. Monitoring and recording your progress encourages and increases the performance level. A psychological study conducted in 2013 shows that writing down your thoughts cements them strongly in your mind. Also, don’t forget to self-motivate and give a pat on your shoulder for achieving the goal. Celebrating small successes every day is the energy drink to pull you up to greater heights.