The power of habits

I know everyone probably puts their contact lenses in a little different. I put one on the tip of a finger, sprinkle it with the saline, then put the other side up on another finger, sprinkle saline on that side, then slip it onto my eye.

Repeat for the next eye.

The other day I was putting my contact lenses in my eyes. I noticed I was using different fingers to do this than I had originally started to use way back when I first started using contacts. I had been using these different fingers for a long time.

The reason I had changed was due to a worksite injury when I cut the tip of one of my 'normal' fingers I use for the contacts. The cut didn't heal for over a month. During this time - over 30 days - I had used the 'new' finger in the process. By doing so, I had established a new habit with the different finger, that I still use to this day.

It takes between 21 - 28 days of uninterupted repitition to establish a new habit that replaces another one. After this time, the brain actually 'rewires' itself, and changes, in order to view this habit as what you should now do.

We all have our routine, for instance, in the shower, that we go through. I start with washing what little I have left of my hair. Then I procede to steps B through H, or whatever. If for some reason I am daydreaming and miss washing my hair to start, then find myself on step B, my brain automatically goes to step C, then D, and so on, until I step out of the shower, only to realize later I didn't wash my hair.

So, what's the point of all this? We become a slave to our habits, which are the basis of our routines. We can establish bad habits that will put our life on automatic pilot to destruction before we know it, or we can establish good habits that make us more efficient and productive.

Simply beware that the small things you start doing are soon forged into chains you cannot easily shake. Establish the good habits that replace those you desire to lose. Soon you will see the fruits of your labor multiplied ten-fold, allowing you to concentrate on that which you desire, leaving the minor details to your automatic mind.