The Habit of Change
Sometimes a good habit can get in the way of a great future.
Every day we make hundreds of choices, most of them without thinking. They have become habits: walking up and down stairs, turning a doorknob, holding a pencil, breathing. But some of our habits get in the way of being more efficient and productive.
Take computer use, for example.
If you have been using a computer for a while, there’s probably a routine way you cut and paste, check formatting, and label documents. Yet nearly every year, computer programs change and improve. There are new shortcuts and better ways to organize. By sticking to habits that once served us well but are now out of date, we plod along at our same pace.
It only takes a moment to learn something new.
Learning a keystroke shortcut only takes a moment. But it takes practice for it to become habit.. The same is true with all our work habits. It’s also true of the way we interact with others.
Learning a better way to treat people takes a little longer.
People aren’t machines. That’s why the skill of getting along can sometimes seem so difficult. The way we respond to one person may be counterproductive with someone else. But with practice, we can learn respect and cooperation.
So, here’s a suggestion:
Choose a day on your calendar, and decide that this is the day you will start from scratch. Try to go about the day with the enthusiasm of a beginner. Ask questions. Make every task, every project, every relationship as if you’re trying to figure out how to be more cooperative and more productive. Think about how you do things and why you do them that way. Take notes.
On day two, before work starts, review your notes and consider making changes and improvements. See how many tasks you checked off. What did you accomplish yesterday? You could decide to:
- Make your workspace more efficient.
- Avoid office gossip.
- Be a more patient listener.
You don’t have to make all the changes at once. Take the week and do a few at a time. The following week review your notes again and make more improvements. You’ll find a greater sense of satisfaction in your day. You’ll see yourself changing for the better.
Hang on to that change of attitude.
When we improve the way we interact with people and complete our tasks more efficiently, it’s OK to feel we have become more Self-Reliant. Look at what you are accomplishing, how you are becoming a better person. That’s reason enough to have a brighter outlook during the day. And here’s a little secret: happier people are better employees, and better employees have more job security.
We make the most of our time when we use it wisely: reaffirming our purpose, setting daily goals, encouraging and serving others, and staying close to God. In this way, we are never alone.
Now make change a new habit.
It’s fun to put on the newbie hat. Do it once a year and see how much you learn about yourself. When we get in the habit of change, we realize more of our potential. We connect better with other people. Now note to yourself: “I’m new at this. Where should I start?”