Written by: Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Habits are settled tendencies. They are acquired modes of behaviors. Habits are developed actions that will aid you in moving forward realizing success. Habits incorporate your character, thinking and feelings. They are the product of your beliefs and values. Many habits are acquired nearly or completely involuntary. You must focus your mind to develop behaviors that are voluntary to be in alignment with your vision and purpose. You want both your conscious and subconscious to be in sync, moving in the same direction. Once habits are formed your mind works to execute them automatically. Your mind will work to make it happen.
It is imperative to adapt and develop patterns of behaviors that require will power and drive you forward towards your purpose.
Sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” ― Samuel Smiles
Adapt and incorporate these 8 habits to keep moving you forward
Be the master of your calendar. Time is your most important asset. It must be used wisely or it will be wasted. You have to control who is on your calendar and who is allocated time. Use the power of NO. Your use of time affects your outcomes.
Commit to personal development. Growth must be intentional and continuous. Look for opportunities to grow. Identify the areas where you need to become better. Design a 6-month growth plan. If you do not set a plan for growth, you will be trapped in a growth plan that is not in alignment with what you are seeking and aspiring to accomplish.
Be teachable. Find a mentor and a coach. People that sharpen you and a cheerleader. Individuals that assist and support you in opening your mind and eyes to strategies and opportunities. People that motivate and inspire you to learn and grow.
Add to your character every day. Be bigger on the inside that on the outside. It is what is within you that attracts or deters. You want to draw others to you so you need to work on being a person that is a magnet. Continually work on what is within you.
Identify behavior and practices of others that you can emulate and follow. Incorporate these behavior and practices. There are many leaders in which you can gain knowledge and learn from their behaviors. They teach you how to be successful. These leaders have shown you that their practices work. Take note and incorporate what is proven to work.Much of what you become is a result of who you choose to follow.
Believe in your best. Put forth your best effort. Give one hundred ten percent. Go above and beyond. Do not put forth mediocrity or average effort. Being mediocre will yield minimal result. Putting forth your best will yield the outcomes that you seek and desire.
Be all in. Your mind and thoughts must be committed and dedicated to the cause and vision. There is no halfway. Stop holding back. You cannot hold out on resources. Do not be afraid of what you have not done before. Do not allow the fear of the unknown to hold you back. There is no precedence or road map, the course is being charted as you move forward.
Have the mindset that you do not have the answer. This will open your mind to new ways of thinking and actively listening. It will open your eyes to see beyond the physical. You will get out of your own way. Your thinking with a closed mind hinders progression.
As you apply and adapt these eight habits you will create and nurture behaviors that support your driving purpose. You will see the evidence of your progression. Progression occurs being steady and consistent in your behaviors and actions. As you are committed and dedicated, you will move forward. Moving forward to achieve and realize your vision.
Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” ― Gandhi
Haseena Shaheed-Jackson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mrs. Haseena Shaheed-Jackson is a Certified Coach, Speaker and Trainer under the John Maxwell Team. She is the author of Reflections Within and Messages from the Spirit. Her mission is to add value to people so that they will add value to others by intentionally growing resulting in transformation and changing their world. Growth is a continual process that never ceases. It is a lifetime commitment that must become a habit. Ms. Jackson is the Owner of Faith, Hope and Spirit, LLC which offers training, coaching and speaking in the areas of growth, development, leadership and influence. For over 30 years, she has held positions in leadership and management for a variety of companies and organizations where her responsibilities included mentoring, coaching, development and training. She hosts a monthly networking group, Connecting and Collaborating to Thrive (CC2T). CC2T focuses on developing relationships and establishing a community. She actively seeks to form partnerships with others to make a difference and be impactful.