We first make our habits, and then our habits makes us – John Dryden

The quote above is just one of many quotes on habits circulating the internet. The self-help world is obsessed with habits, and rightfully so: habits represent what we do by default and what we do has a strong correlation with who we are and more importantly who we become.

However, it is quotes like the above that also give people the wrong view of habits. Much like a new diet or a fancy smartwatch, habits are seen as one ‘hack’ of many to boost our productivity and success. It is seen as something we can take from the shelf and tap into when we feel like bettering ourselves. This is why so many people deem it acceptable to plan on starting a new habit on January 1st. Unbeknownst to them, planning to start a habit in the future is detrimental to attaining it.

There is one time and one time only when habits are created. This time is today, it is right know. Moreover, we are always creating and developing habits whether we like it or not.

Let’s take an example. Say that you have recently bought a subscription to the gym and tonight would be your second visit. This morning you felt so much energy and couldn’t wait to workout. However, now that it’s 7pm you’re feeling a bit tired and decide to go tomorrow, couldn’t hurt right? Wrong. The intention to workout tomorrow is completely meaningless in the realm of habit creation. As mentioned before, all your habits are created and developed in the moment, not in the future. This means that by flaking you are developing the habit of (1) laying on the couch, (2) probably eating potato chips and most importantly (3) creating the habit of not taking yourself and your goals and intentions seriously. Therefore, when tomorrow comes around, the chances of you actually going to the gym are significantly lower because of it.

It becomes clear then why 99% of new years resolutions fail: the people who make them have been consiously aware that they should change their habits ever since first planning the resolution. Yet, they have been conditioning themselves to ignore this wisdom for weeks, sometimes months, until the new year rolls around. At January 1st when they finally decide to act on it, they are completely flabbergasted days later why again their new years resolution didn’t stick.

Moral of the story: the habit creation realm is unforgiving with absolutely zero consideration for our best intentions. The only way to get it on our sides is to live completely in the now, being aware that no matter our rationalizations and best intentions, it are our actions that determine our future (self). Do you want to change a habit? There is one day  and One Day only that you can make this happen, and this is today.

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