Why do we fail to maintain our habits?

Most of us struggle to maintain the positive habits we aim to implement into our lives. Whether it's going to the gym, reading books, or studying a new subject, we may initially follow these habits for a few days or even a few months before eventually falling off track. This tendency to falter can be attributed to our tendency to prioritize goals over the system.

Goals represent the desired outcomes we hope to achieve, such as obtaining good grades in exams, while systems refer to the processes and actions that lead to those goals, such as consistent studying. When pursuing personal change, it is crucial to establish a goal and then wholeheartedly concentrate on the system.

By directing our focus toward the system itself, the goal is more likely to be achieved automatically. For instance, consistently studying daily increases our chances of obtaining good grades in exams. A handful of problems arise when you spend more time thinking about your goals than focusing on your system.

• The goal is the same for winners and losers; their system distinguishes them and determines their outcomes.

• While focusing on the goals, happiness or satisfaction is only experienced when the goal is achieved; it's momentary. Conversely, while focusing on the system, you can be happy or satisfied anytime your system is running.

• In a goal-oriented process, motivation diminishes once the goal is accomplished. In contrast, in a system-oriented process, motivation is sustained as long as the system is running.

If you're struggling to change your habits, it's important to recognize that the issue lies not with you, but with your system. Bad habits persist not because you lack the desire to change, but because you have an ineffective system in place. Habits can be compared to the atoms of our lives. Each habit is a fundamental building block contributing to our overall improvement. They possess both smallness and mightiness, as they have the power to shape our behavior and outcomes. Recognizing the role of habits within the context of a comprehensive system is crucial for creating lasting change and personal growth.

Reference: "Atomic Habits" by James Clear 

Sure, I'd be happy to help. What questions do you have? Please leave a comment below.

Read my other blogs from the "Atomic Habits" series: Atomic Habits