Micro Habits

As a fit pro, I’ve worked with hundreds of people, up close and personal. I’ve been in their homes and witnessed their lives over long periods of time. I’ve gotten to know their vices, their thought patterns, and their modus operands. I’ve learned that there are big habits that project people to higher levels of success and greater well-being, but there are also tiny, almost invisible ones that make an impact too. This post is about the later, or what I call micro habits.

“We first make our habits, then our habits make us.” - John Dryden

For example, here are three of my best micro habits:
Carrying water with me everywhere, all of the time. I remember living in LA and getting stuck in traffic without water. Not to be dramatic, but I thought I was going to die. Never again, I said to myself. I’ve got a glass water bottle that is filled up with filtered water and goes into my tote bag every time I leave the house. Water is my constant companion, and I believe hydration is a key component of the fountain of youth.
”Closing” my home office and my kitchen no later than 8pm at night. At the end of the day, I always tidy up in these two places. I put everything back in its place. In my office, I turn off all electronics, shut my laptop, straightening out my desk, etc. In my kitchen, the countertops are clean and clear, all dishes are put away, the lights are turned off…sweet dreams. Eating is done and work is done. This habit helps me start the next day with ease and minimal anxiety.
Daily to-do list making.
I take my to-do list seriously. It’s done in the morning, on a specific notepad with a specific pen. I sit down and thoughtful write it out. I write out what needs to get done and in what order. This organizes my thoughts, sets a game plan for the day, and helps me accomplish my goals.

“Good habits are worth being fanatical about.” – John Irving

Beneficial micro habits help in one of three areas of life: better health (like the water), setting boundaries (like my “kitchen is closed” policy), or staying organized (like my to-do lists).

Here are some other good ones:
• Throwing out trash immediately in one’s car (a clean car is a clear mind)
• Having organized media, like Spotify playlists, contact lists, etc.
• Not pushing the snooze button
• Returning calls promptly
• Laying out your clothes the night before
• Making your bed
• Opting for the stairs instead of the elevator
• Turning off your phone

Over time, all of your good little habits get strongly embedded - they crowd out the bad habits and up level your live. You rise. You thrive. You “have your act together.”

When a training client’s life is swirling around in chaos - maybe they get injured easily, always have some sort of drama in their relationships, or are late to, or unprepared for, workout sessions, my thoughts go to their habits or lack thereof. What micro habits need implemented? How can we get their daily, everyday, almost invisible, habits, to breed more peace? (Chaos is optional.)

The difference between mediocrity and a glorious existence is one’s micro habits. So how are your tiny habits? Can you swap out the bad for the good? 🤔