Becoming a Better You: Small Habits, Seismic Shifts
A few years ago, I participated in a fascinating study group based on the best selling book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. In this study, team members were asked to identify at least three habits they would work on over the coming quarter. Examples ranged from taking daily vitamins, meditation, exercise, and increased social connections.
When asked the same thing to leaders, their habits were directly connected to their work. Examples included: increased one on one time with key team members, reduced technology distractions, and greater accountability.
It seemed obvious to me there was a gap between the two approaches. Front line workers were far more likely to focus on lifestyle habits, while leaders were all about “the business”.
What if we did both?
When we improve a single habit, we instantly feel better. For example, drink more water, exercise, or run a better meeting, all lead to a better sense of well being.
When we combine all three, it is no surprise, we see a compounding result.
However, unless those habits are connected to a higher goal that has significant meaning, they are simply not sustainable. We are hardwired to quit, especially when we lose our passion for the end result.
“You do not rise to the level of your goals,
you fall to the level of your systems.”
James Clear
Connecting habits to your deepest desire to who you want to become will keep you going when the going gets tough.
Healthy personal habits of better eating, sleeping, exercising, and mental health breaks are critical to achieving a higher self-worth
Consistent business habits of showing up for your team, doing the 10,000 hours, and indispensable customer service lead to a thriving business
The key is to connect the habits, along with your personal and professional goals together to achieve a complete sense who you want to become.
*James Clear uses the example: (I’ve added two more to consider)
*The goal is not to run, it is to become a runner.
The goal is not to sell more, it is to become a flourishing advisor.
The goal is not to lead, it is to become a conscious leader
The secret to becoming a conscious leader is to stay above the line by including your teams’ lifestyle goals that make business goals work. Don’t skip the personal goals in your effort to drive sales. It all matters. That is what makes it a system: “a group of related things working together as a whole.”
Imagine what you could accomplish as a team if you worked on healthy lifestyle habits together? Perhaps a “Walk and Talk” challenge - steps and calls to past customers tallied up with a team celebration.
It starts with getting your own small habits in place to create a seismic shift.
My three habits that connect to becoming a better me for the next 60 days are:
Health (10,000 steps, half at a higher heart rate),
Connection In Real Life (more work off zoom than on),
Consistency (dashboards and calendars)
Points to Ponder:
What kind of leader do you want to become?
What three habits could help you make that happen?
How will you integrate lifestyle and business habits into your team goal setting?
Discover the power of personalized habits. Whether you want to create your own or use our collaboratively crafted Habit Checklist, start your journey to a better you now!
The deal is if you use one you add one to the list! :-) Happy goal setting!
I’d love to hear what your three gateway habits are… drop me an email at geraldine@geraldineree.com
PS. If you are considering growing your team but not sure if this is the right next step, book a free clarity call so that we can explore it together.
Recruitment is a growth strategy, not an event. It is the catalyst that sets everything else in your business in motion.
If that sounds like exactly what you need, please join me! I cannot wait to do this together.
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