The complexity of forming a habit

In order to achieve another level in our business, we need to become a different person, acquire new habits.
The brain has a process to acquire new habits.

The brain cannot instantly adapt to sudden changes in previously experienced circumstances, new life conditions, new work, new study routine or a place of residence, social circle, unfamiliar food or new people. Any new activity must be entered into gradually and calmly by slowly getting accustomed to it. Every day, by doing everything you can, you can achieve something that seemed impossible. The habit to study, or to work is formed gradually and continuously. Sudden insight and inspiration always involves previous knowledge and may not always be something you were fully aware of before.

Often, parents, teachers, bosses, loved ones (and sometimes ourselves), without understanding the complexity of forming a habit, require from us (and we expect from others) achieving instant results. It does not happen that way. It is best not to become overwhelmed, calm down, and kindly tell them or ourselves that nothing can be achieved all at once, “Hey kids, be patient and you will get you Christmas gifts just in time for Christmas”. And start moving forward slowly, and picking up the pace as we get used to new things.

The brain by itself creates stereotypes (habits, skills, reflexes). Stereotyped thinking helps immensely to live our lives as we do no need to repeatedly solve common tasks. Every day, when we perform same actions, we turn them into a habit, a skill or an ability, or sometimes a conditional reflex. Without much reliance on our brain, we become able to salivate at the sight of a lemon, close front door, turn off leaking tap, wash dishes, jump up from a sudden car horn, click X when we need to close a window on the computer screen.

Instincts and insufficient life experience force us to create stereotypes related to our childhood friends, enemies or lovers. This can be useful when dealing with “the ocean of mankind” to choose someone and to create our own team and then stop, which frees up the time and energy for other life goals. Stereotypes help us to deal with strangers, get along with our parents and to educate our own children.

From learning-mind.com

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