This is why I believe nurturing a habit is more important than passion to achieve success

Would you set your heart ablaze everyday?

For the longest time, I believed that passion would drive me strong towards my goals. I would dive headfirst into projects and pursuits, fueled by an intense fire within. But as time went on, I found myself struggling to maintain that initial fervor. The reality was that passion, as powerful as it may be, couldn't sustain me through the challenges and obstacles that inevitably arose. Here are my thoughts and some valuable lessons that I have learnt.

Close your eyes for a moment and picture yourself on a vast ocean, filled with boundless opportunities. Passion is the gust of wind that fills your sails, pushing you towards the horizons of your dreams. It's exhilarating, isn't it? The thrill of pursuing something that sets your soul on fire. Passion gives meaning to our lives and propels us to take leaps of faith, stepping out of our comfort zones.

But here's the secret: passion alone is not enough.

Imagine that gust of wind gradually fading away, leaving you adrift in a sea of uncertainty. This is where the steadfast rhythm of habit comes into play. Habit is the anchor that grounds us, providing stability and structure amidst the unpredictable tides of life.

Habits are the small, consistent actions we take each day. They are the building blocks of our lives, shaping our character, and influencing our outcomes. Like the constant drip of water that carves through rock, our daily habits have the power to sculpt our destiny. When we commit to a habit, we show up for ourselves and for others. We become reliable, dependable, and present in the lives of those we love. Our habits nurture relationships, foster trust, and inspire those around us to join in the dance. In moments of uncertainty, our ingrained habits become beacons of hope, reminding us of our resilience and ability to overcome any challenge.

Consider the world of sports, where athletes rely on both passion and habit to excel. Their passion fuels their relentless dedication to their craft, driving them to push boundaries and reach new heights. Yet, it is the daily rituals, training regimens, and disciplined habits that enable them to consistently perform at their best. While passion ignites the spark within us, propelling us forward with dreams and aspirations, it is the steady rhythm of habit that sustains our progress and transforms dreams into reality.

The Habit Highway

It is not easy. In my personal experience, building a habit can often feel mundane and exhausting. It requires finding the time, adjusting plans, and mentally preparing for the repetition. Most times, I have no problem starting something new but struggled to hold a habit for long. My days were filled with activities I was passionate about, often leaving me with an endless list of things I wanted to do but limited hours to do them all. I would easily get bored and quickly shift my focus to something new. For instance, I always maintained a good level of physical activity, engaging in sports a few times a week and going past 10,000 steps almost everyday. While it seemed like a lot, I didn't witness significant progress in my strength and stamina. No matter how much I tried I wasn’t improving my performance. It has also occurred to me that, as days go by and years start to build on me, it would be harder and harder to keep myself motivated and perform on the same levels as I previously did. I realised, what was missing was a consistent routine, akin to that of a professional athlete. That realization led me to transform working out into a habit.

It has been over 9 months now, I catch a glimpse of those three rings on my Apple watch gradually closing-in almost everyday. They have become a personal game, a self-imposed challenge to test my consistency. Surprisingly, those little rings, with their subtle celebrations, provide the exact motivation and gratification I need. They serve as gentle reminders of my progress, but it was watching the monthly overview of those rings that truly solidified my belief in the power of habit formation. It became clear that my new goal was to maintain an unbroken streak. I feel that I am no longer solely reliant on passion to drive my goals; instead, it is the strength of habit that would propel me forward. I believe that the routine, the daily commitment, will take me to places where passion alone couldn't. As the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, I am discovering a newfound resilience within me.

I haven’t fully observed the difference I wanted yet, but I will embrace patience and trust in the journey I am on. I will continue to build those rings, day by day, knowing that every small step forward is a step closer to the transformation I seek. I understand that lasting change takes time, and I am committed to the long-term process. With each passing day, as I add another link to the chain of consistency, I am building a solid foundation for the goals I envision.

The rings may take time to align perfectly, but I know that as I persist, the results will come. And when they do, the satisfaction will be all the sweeter, knowing that it was built on the foundation of patience, perseverance, and the power of habit.

Tips for developing a habit

The following are an accumulated thoughts from various sources on developing a successful habit.

1. Embrace the Power of Consistency: I have come to realize that consistency is the backbone of successful habit formation. It is the daily, repeated actions that truly make a difference in achieving our goals. Small, consistent steps can lead to significant progress over time.

2. Patience and Persistence Pay Off: Building a habit is not an overnight process. It requires patience and persistence. There will be days when motivation wanes, and setbacks may occur. But by staying committed and pushing through the challenges, we can ultimately reap the rewards of our efforts.

3. Reflection Fuels Progress: Regular reflection on our habit journey is vital. It allows us to assess what is working well and identify areas for improvement. Taking the time to reflect helps us refine our approach, adjust strategies, and stay aligned with our goals.

4. Accountability Strengthens Commitment: Sharing our goals with others, whether through a trusted friend, a supportive community, or an accountability partner, keeps us motivated and accountable. It provides encouragement and support during challenging times.

5. Celebrate Progress, Big and Small: Celebrating milestones and recognizing our progress, no matter how small, is important for maintaining motivation and cultivating a positive mindset. By acknowledging and celebrating our achievements, we reinforce the value and significance of our efforts.

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." - Dumbledore from Harry Potter.

With each step forward, fueled by determination and guided by routine, we embark on a path of growth, resilience, and boundless possibilities. So, let us dare to dream, let’s dare to build habits that ignite our spirits and dare to mould our lives through our own choices.

Remember, habit gets you to where passion alone can’t.