The habits of success seem so straightforward, yet sometimes unattainable.
Have you ever thought to yourself…
“When I’m super successful I’ll be so disciplined. I’ll wake up early, exercise, drink green juice, get lots of focused work done, cook an incredible meal for my family, have time to write my novel, floss and be in bed by 10pm every night! No procrastination, just excellent habits.”
If you’re already there: congrats.
Either way, keep reading!
How you can change one of the most dangerous habits
But if there are still some habits you’re trying to kick or set into place, then you need to know this: when you get to that uber successful picture of yourself, you’re going to have the exact same habits you have now.
So you either have to change your habits today, or change your future picture to fit what your habits are currently.
Now I want to share with you how you can change one of the most dangerous habits – the one that might be stopping you from reaching your goals.
I know you’ve experienced this one because none of us are really immune.
It goes a little something like this…
You’re about to write a scary email. Or maybe you need to figure out a technical thing but you don’t know where to start. Or you have to make a phone call that could change your life.
Suddenly you need to:
- Check your email inbox
- Check Facebook
- Check your sales reports
- Check your website stats
- Check your subscriber stats
- See how many books you’ve sold on Amazon
- Check Twitter
- Check Instagram
- Check your email inbox
… And then it starts all over again:
The Panic Loop
I call this phenomenon the “Panic Loop”.
Your loop might look a little different: maybe you clean the kitchen or dust the bookshelves instead. Maybe you organize your sock drawer, or call your aunt Ira.
It’s still a panic loop, and it’s what we do when we’re avoiding work. Sometimes this form of procrastination serves us: we’ll come back to find out that the task wasn’t that important, or that someone else took care of it for us.
Other times, we need a way to break out of the loop so we can finally get stuff done instead of resisting it.
Snap out of it and install the habits of success
All you need to break the loop is a pattern interrupt. Something to make you snap out of it.
If you have a similar loop to mine, your interrupt can be to disable your internet and realize your email and Facebook won’t load. So you need to get back to the task at hand and get it done.
Or, you could train yourself to recognize when you’re about to fall into your panic loop and do something different instead.
When you see your mouse hovering, take a step away from your computer. Go lay down on the floor for a few minutes. Or get up and stretch. Go for a walk. Down a whole cup of water.
By the time you come back to your computer, the panic loop won’t have a hold on you anymore and you’ll be able to get your original task done!
Writing these emails, filming these videos, and connecting with you through this show every week is true pleasure and honor. Yes, sometimes I find myself going into the loop when I should be writing an episode or a newsletter, but every time I stay focused I know it was worth it.
It doesn’t matter how big your email list is, or how many people visit your website. Your work matters, and each time you’re able to stay out of the loop and focus to get your message out there… you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
Spill the beans on your panic loop…
Now, I’m a curious animal and I’d love to know what your panic loop looks like. Do you fall into the digital trap like I do?
Or do you have other avoidance patterns, and how are you able to interrupt these? Leave a comment below and let us in on your best secrets!
