I’ve been trying to formulate a habit chart for a while now. Something that would look much like a kid’s time table; a system that would dictate my life to a t.
I got around to designing it with the important things that I wanted in my life on a daily basis. What better time to have started it than at the beginning of a new year, amirite?
I’ve since redesigned my habit chart thrice in the last 6 months because I’ve invariably missed out on at least one of the habits on the first day, and subsequently, several of them together, as the days progressed.
Once I realize I’m missing for a few days, I blame a packed schedule, assess & redo the whole thing including breaks & distractions.
None of those iterations have helped sustain, and I’m currently doing the 3rd change.
Too many balls in the air
As I am doing the latest iteration, I’m realizing the main mistake that I’ve been committing. I’ve been juggling too many balls.
I’ve been trying to organize several habits - exercising, eating at fixed times, entertainment, sleep, reading, meditation, socializing - altogether when I wasn’t regular at many of these except for exercising, eating & sleeping.
It’s like I went from juggling just 3 balls to 7. No wonder I’m dropping most of them, every time.
By doing this over & over, I’ve now realized that all 7 can’t be done. I’could probably add 1 or maybe 2 more habits, so that it’s a gradual, sustainable change.
Priorities, priorities
Besides, I am also reminded of a powerful insight from Naval Ravikant, a phenomenal entrepreneur & angel investor. In a series of connected, seminal podcasts - one with Shane Parish & another with Joe Rogan - Naval speaks about several important themes for individual happiness, productivity, et al.
One insight that is most pertinent was:
If something is your number one priority then you will get it. That’s just the way life works. If you’ve got a fuzzy basket of 10 or 15 different priorities, you’re going to end up getting none of them.
It’s damn true! Since I decided that health was going to be a priority for me at the beginning of 2019, I have followed through with my eating, exercising & sleeping habits. It was the only thing that I bothered about other than work, my other priority.
Extending on the same insight, I need to pick my 3rd priority in life, so that I can shortlist & follow through on all the connected habits.
Would be great to know your top 3 priorities, and how you’re achieving them.
Cheers,
Kalaikovan