Image by jesslef, licensed under Creative Commons.
William James, father of psychology, once said that 99% of human activity is done out of mere habit. Scientific research shows that old habits can be changed, and new habits can be developed to replace the old ones.
Today, we have ample scientific proof for the neuroplasticity of the brain and nervous system. This means that old neurological patterns can be replaced by new ones, and the brain and nervous system can form new neural connections throughout our adult lives.
It is interesting to note that the ancient yogis understood the potency of the brain and nervous systems thousands of years ago, long before scientific diagnostic tests were available to attest its veracity.
Bringing balance into your life is an ongoing process; it is journey and not a destination. You will have to develop an awareness of your negative habits and change them to positive-producing habits.
Once you are ready to begin, set and follow a plan to achieve those goals. If you wish your new habits to take root in your brain and nervous system, then you have to make sure to paint a vivid picture of what you would like your new habits to look and feel like.
A habit is developed by repeatedly doing the same thing again and again. Doing something repetitively is an excellent way to learn a new habit as it creates new neural pathways and impressions on your brain and nervous system.
Once you have made a conscious decision to entertain only positive life enriching habits, it is important for you to review your goals and check what progress you have made. You may decide to monitor your short term and long term goals in a journal. This will give you the opportunity to record areas in your life where you have made progress, and diagnose other areas where you still need work.
Since different people have different priorities, you will have to decide what is right for you and what will fit into your lifestyle. Make sure you set realistic goals or you will end up disappointed. Remember that only you can decide what is right for you and that nobody else can do this for you.
Once you decide what route you are going to take in your life’s journey, it is important to set your internal GPS in a focussed manner. Monitor your progress carefully, and if something is not going according to plan, make the necessary changes. It is important to be vigilant and not get side tracked by the wide variety of options that may be available, as all the choices may not fit into your lifestyle, and this can become confusing.
