Coach's Corner
Tips from Leo Totten
Change the Habits That Are Holding You Back
09.2000
Once again, I have to steal some ideas from someone else who was intelligent
enough to put them into a book. The book this time is a great one entitled,
The Power of Focus, by Canfield, Hansen and Hewitt. The very first chapter grabbed
my attention - "Your Habits Will Determine Your Future". How very true this
simple statement is!!
Remember this, negative habits breed negative consequences. Successful habits create positive rewards.
Up to ninety percent of your normal behavior is based on your habits. Most of your daily activities are habits that go on day after day, often without you even being aware of them. They become firmly established as "the way you do things" and they involve every area of your life including your work, family, income, health, relationships and, most importantly to athletes, your training and all the things that affect it. This EVERYDAY routine becomes normal behavior which has a lot to do with the results of your life. IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH THESE RESULTS, SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE!
Developing successful habits takes time, so how long does it take to change a habit? Believe it or not, making small adjustments should be possible in as little as 21 days!! If it is a habit you have been doing for an extremely long time, it may take somewhat longer to change it, but it is still possible in a relatively short period of time. Sometimes we as athletes develop negative belief systems over time. These may take awhile to reverse into positive belief systems ñ but it CAN be done!! Once a new, positive habit is well-developed, it becomes a new normal behavior!!
How to go about changing your bad habits:
This plan is very simple, but very effective. Start with one habit and try it. I think you will be surprised at how well you do with making a change.
Remember, quality is not an act. It is a habit. If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got!!