Developing a Habit

 Good morning from Linden, Guyana! It rained this morning so I did not go out for a walk. I stood outside for a while and enjoyed the soft pitter-patter of the rain.

It is hard to believe that about seven months ago, I almost never got out of bed early in the morning to exercise. Now, I regularly walk in the morning. I feel out of sorts when I miss my walk. I think I have developed a new habit - the habit of early morning exercise. You may recall that I wanted to develop this habit badly. I wrote about it in one of my LinkedIn articles/notes (link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habits-success-fahmeena-odetta-moore-/?trackingId=HdNIHpV%2BTZu9K%2F%2FmJLd6Aw%3D%3D).

So how did I develop the habit? The regular exercise in rehab (needed so I could use my legs normally again) may have had something to do with it. I exercised daily in rehab, but after rehab, I was at home not doing much exercise. After arriving in Guyana from the United States, I was again not doing much exercise. One day, I just felt like taking a walk to exercise my legs. I knew exercising my legs would do me good. The walk made me tired and I was panting at the end of it, but I was pleased that I walked. That was a good day that led to many more like it. I was just motivated. Before long, I was planning to walk early in the morning rather than later in the day.

I really do believe motivation plays a big role in developing (and maintaining) a new habit such as exercising. People need to figure out what motivates them. It could be the desire to fit into a particular dress, or the need to ensure that their actions do not exacerbate a health situation, or the need to escape a horrible outcome such as losing a limb. Motivation helps you to keep going to achieve a goal.

Oldest Thing I Own That I Use Daily

Wordpress writing prompt for 6/18/2023:

What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

I was unable to think of an answer to this question in five minutes. I thought about the answer for about 15 long minutes. My strategy was to think about things I use daily (or almost every day) and then think of the oldest. I thought of my vehicle, a 2004 Nissan. I drove it almost every day for years and years. Unfortunately, I was involved in an accident so I stopped driving the vehicle months ago. I will also lose the vehicle since the insurance company considers it a total loss. I thought of my phone. I use it every day to make and receive calls, send text messages, and so on. I have had that phone for at least three years. The winner is my computer that is over 4 years old (but a much older model). I use it almost every day. Some of the things I use the computer for are: read the bible, check email, and write/edit papers for publishing. I still use an email account that I have had for 19 years (the oldest intangible thing I use every day).

The exercise made me think of my days and how monotonous they are. Each day I repeat a lot of things. These days, I don't go out much or do much spontaneous things. Life was much more fun when I could get into my vehicle for a drive to see a movie, visit the lake or grab a bite. I must get a new vehicle.

 

Habits And Success

Today I decided to write a short article on LinkedIn. I could have added it to this blog but decided a LinkedIn article would be better.

The article is on habits and success. It is related to the research I conducted on achievement and success (my Lessons Project) and also a signature assignment I prepared on Electronic Monitoring and Performance.
Link to article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habits-success-fahmeena-odetta-moore-

Screenshot of article published confirmation page