I’m currently working on a book about habits for happiness at home and work. This book is for women in professional careers, balancing home and work tasks. Keep a look out as this will be available for free download when finalised. For now, I am writing a series of 12 short articles introducing the habits. These are topics that we might not think of as habits. But when we use them, our lives become powerful.

What are habits in general?

Habits are things we practice regularly that are hard to give up.

My hope is to inspire you to try the habits outlined in the coming articles, because I believe these will fill you with hope. They are habits that are seemingly small but help you redefine success. Sometimes I feel as though i’m searching for things in the future. But being happy now is success. These habits help you succeed now. Not in 1 week, 3 weeks or longer.

Three initial things important to any habit

1. Know the thing you want to achieve. This sounds obvious but we can be overwhelmed with responsibilities and distractions that push out clarity on what we want. What do you want? A happier marriage? To be productive at work without the stress? To get along with your teenager better? To finish your case notes on time so you can leave work with a sense of order?
2. Make the habit something we don’t want to give up. All actions can become boring unless we know the process is worth it. For example; studying for exams is a habit that leads to a qualification. When that qualification is attractive, the actions become meaningful.
3. Aim for mindful flow during the actions. Focus on the now of the action. Not the presentation at work in three weeks.

Summary of the 12 Habits

Part 1: Thinking habits

1. The ‘try thinking this instead’ habit.
2. The ‘this isn’t personal’ habit.
3. When you make a mistake or fail, try this thought.

Part 2: People habits (including the difficult ones)

1. A habit for when someone offends you
2. The generosity habit that makes you happier
3. The ‘slow down and look’ habit

Part 3: Habits of reaction and action (what we feel and do)

1. The habit that brings instant peace
2. Health habits you can actually do and keep doing
3. The habit that’s ok to do. You can do it without waking up at 4 am and still succeed in life and work.

Part 4: Habits of purpose and meaning

1. The habit of noticing.
2. The habit of setting goals and actions to get there. (A thinking trick that actually makes this enjoyable, not stressful).
3. The habit that makes the boring enjoyable.

Next week…

Would you bake a cake without a tray underneath?

Neither would I.

Before I cover the 12 happiness habits, next week’s article is about three starter habits that create a foundation for the 12. These three habits are essential. They are linked to how you see yourself, others and your world. The question I have for you this week is “How do you see yourself?”. Have a think, write some answers in your journal and i’ll see you here next week.

Look out for habit 1 in a couple of weeks about taking control of your thinking to build your best life.