“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a HABIT.” – Will Durant

Habits are the invisible building blocks of your daily life. They shape who you are, how you respond to challenges, and ultimately, the results you achieve. A habit is not just a routine—it is an automatic behaviour that your brain has learned through repetition.

What Is a Habit?

A habit can be defined as:

• A regularly repeated behaviour that requires little or no conscious thought and is learned rather than innate.
• A choice you deliberately make at some point, then repeat often enough until it becomes automatic.
• A formula your brain follows: once established, it triggers a predictable response without you needing to decide each time.

This means your brain creates shortcuts that save mental energy. Instead of deciding afresh every day whether to brush your teeth or tie your shoelaces, you simply do it. These mental shortcuts allow your brain to focus on other, more complex tasks.

Why Habits Matter

Habits are powerful because they run silently in the background of your life, influencing your behaviour even when you are not consciously aware of them. Over time, they shape your identity and resilience. Consider this:

• Positive habits (such as daily exercise, journaling, or practicing gratitude) improve your health, mood, and focus.
• Negative habits (such as procrastination, overeating, or self-doubt) slowly drain your energy, confidence, and motivation.
• Because habits are automatic, once they are set, they can either work for you or against you.

The Habit Loop

Psychologists describe habits as operating in a three-step loop:

1. Trigger – something cues the behaviour (e.g., stress, time of day, environment).
2. Routine – the behaviour itself (e.g., reaching for a snack, going for a run, checking your phone).
3. Reward – the benefit or relief you get (e.g., comfort, satisfaction, stress release).

Over time, the brain begins to associate the trigger with the reward, making the routine automatic.

Reflection Prompt

Take a moment to think about your own day:

• What is one habit you do automatically every morning without thinking?
• How does this habit set the tone for your day—positively or negatively?

Key Takeaway

Habits are not just small routines; they are the foundation of your resilience and success. By understanding them, you gain the power to shape your life in the direction you want to go.