How to step into a GOOD habit! - Charlotte Rawling, BIG
/How to step into a GOOD habit!
As a mum I am constantly surrounded by habits, the nose picking, nail biting, unable to put dirty pants in the laundry basket type habits.
A habit is something we just do, sometimes unconsciously and other times just out of ‘doing it for doing its sake’. Many parts of being a mum can feel like we just do things on auto pilot and with little consideration for ourselves.
As a mum to an 8 year old and now 13 year old I am starting to spend a little bit of time on ME ( I KNOW! Shocking…) This has looked like some personal development, self care and just being intentional with my time. I want learn and embed some GOOD habits.
There are 7 very simple steps for building and developing good habits.
One of the habits I am trying to develop, is to ‘move my body every day’ and to make it part of my busy, real life.
1)Small steps beat big dreams
Doing the minimum consistently beats endless overthinking and out of reach goals.
I have set my self the challenge to exercise or as I call it ‘move my body’ every day. This is not a full on work out but could be a simple walk, swim in the sea, kitchen dance party or playing netball with Evie.
The habit is to be intentional about doing ‘something’ every day, that is all!
This something is for ME!
2) Gather a support team.
You get more done when you have role models, cheerleaders and people to nag you.
I do this, I tell people so I am accountable.
3) Consider your WHY?
Do it in relation to earning money, relationships or health and it’s more likely to actually get done.
This is not just for my physical health it is very much for my mental health too, being able to clear my head, create a routine of self care and look after my body.
4) Make it easy!
Look at how it will fit into your day, routine, lifestyle, don’t set out of reach goals that you will not keep up!
I now write down what I am going to do in my diary, or if not before then after so I can see the habit developing.
5) Act before you think
Change your behaviour to change your mind. Don’t try and change your mind to change your behaviour.
My change in behaviour is to exercise a little everyday, this has now changed my mind as I am really conscious of how it makes me feel mentally and physically and this ‘good/positive’ feeling is worth the habit. Therefore my mind is recognising the endorphins and I am more readily happy to commit to ‘moving my body’
6) Reward yourself
I have experienced, many a reward chart or incentive scheme over my years being a teacher and a mum and there is no reason that as an adult we should not reward ourselves too.
My treat is simply the feeling of elation and pride when I have done it. Yours could be anything that enthuses you to carry on.
7) Build a routine:
Making it a part of your day leads to repetition, and that will rewire your brain for the better.
This is why I don’t say I will exercise everyday but I ‘will move my body’. If I do proper exercise I tend to get up early and do it, but if life gets in the way and I can only do a walk or game with the kids, I will fit it in as and when I can around all the other life STUFF. It means that my routine to ’move my body every day’ is building the habit but not fixed to a time I can’t fulfil.
This mentally helps me to get a better sense of consistency while building my habit.
So what habit do you want to develop, build upon, create, start today? Grab a journal and consider these:
1)What’s a goal/habit that’s really important to you?
(What is your WHY?)
2)What easy, small step can you commit to doing this week?
(What, How and When)
3)How will you reward yourself after?
(What will you do?)
Whatever stage of motherhood or life you are at, don’t forget YOU. I wish I had been more intentional with self care and not having such big expectations in the earlier years of being a mum. I may have been able to look after my mental health in a slightly more practical way.
It’s never too late and models to our children how important it is to create good habits.
As the old saying goes, “You can do anything once you stop trying to do everything.”
Bio:
I am a mum of two and wife to one! I was a primary teacher for a long time and now work part time for a charity that supports and empowers women no matter what their background. I run my business called BIG which stands for BELIEVE, INSPIRE, GROW. Through coaching and workshops on body image, confidence and purpose my aim is to help women BELIEVE in themselves, INSPIRE confidence and GROW positivity. I love to walk with and support Mums who like me have faced battles and are now looking to take on a new adventure that includes considering their needs.
You can see more of Charlotte over at:
