According to an article titled, Develop a New Habit, written by Steven Aitchison, it takes 21 days to develop a habit. When Aitchison talks about developing a new habit, he says, “don’t tell yourself you are doing it for life, tell yourself (your conscious brain) that you are going to try it for 21 days.” In a way, Aitchison illustrates a story such as talking to your conscious mind. In terms of sleep, if you tell yourself, I am going to wake up early for the rest of my life, your conscious mind might be like, “Woah, I’ve been waking up half past noon for the past 10 years and there isn’t any online blog that will change that!” Instead, if you tell your mind that you want to give waking up early a try for 21 days, your mind will be more willing to cooperate.
The key is, during those 21 days, neural pathways will begin to form with your new routine of waking up early. By the 21st day, your routine of waking up early will be like second nature to you.One technique that you can use to help keep yourself on track is to type up a small calendar. On that calendar, mark your start date and end date. From the first day until the last, write down the time you wake up every day. If you find yourself slowly starting to wake up later and later, you have the power to put yourself back on track. Yes, I said you have the power!
You see, forming habits is not just for waking up early, it is the key to mastering self-discipline. “Discipline is all about cultivating powerful habits that become part of your lifestyle. At one point those habits can become your identity.” – Robin Crow. The habits that you develop within your life-time are the habits that will define you as a person. Let the habits you develop make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others. If this is your first time attempting to start a new habit, congratulations! You have taken a step away from the sidelines and into the game of life. View this as a growing and learning opportunity for yourself. Once you master waking up early, continue to practice your new skill and seek out habits that will shape your identity.
My goal and hope for the Rise and Shine series is to inspire readers to wake up and view everyday day as an opportunity and blessing from God. Do not let your sleeping habits define your lifestyle. Instead, wake up with a so good I can hardly stand it attitude and jump out of bed, ready to change our world!
Consider this…
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden.
I will push you up to success or down to disappointment.
I am at your command.
Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me.
For I can do them quickly, correctly and profitably.
I am easily managed; just be firm with me.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a
machine and the intelligence of a person.
You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin.
Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me.
Lead me. Reward me.
And I will then do it automatically.
I am your servant.
Who am I?
I am a habit.
-from Rock Solid Leadership, by Robin Crow
The Reversal 