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Habits always have a beginning. In most cases, that beginning is childhood – mirroring the habits of your parents.
But, as you get older, as you escape the influence of your parents, you forge habits through your associations – friends, co-workers, spouses, mentors, etc.
But the most powerful source of habits are your values – things you care about and which are very important to you:
- Vanity – If you care about the way you look, you will develop habits that improve your appearance. You might exercise to tone up your muscles, eat less to keep the weight off, take very good care of your teeth by flossing and brushing your teeth often. Those are good habits. But, you might also form bad habits, such as spending too much money on clothes, shoes, makeup.
- Strong Relationships – If you value relationships, you’ll develop habits that allow you to improve or maintain your relationships. This might include regular phone calls, sending cards, good listening skills, compassion, etc.
- Money – If you value money, you might develop habits such as a strong work ethic, building relationships with influential individuals, saving, frugality, etc.
- Happiness – If you value happiness you might develop habits that help keep you happy. This might include doing something for a living you love, such as writing, painting, music, teaching, etc. It might also include developing relationships with other happy, upbeat people and avoiding toxic, negative people.
- Knowledge – If you value knowledge you might develop habits that help improve your knowledge. This might include furthering your education by getting a college or graduate degree, reading to learn every day, writing, speaking, etc.
- Good Health – If you value good health you might develop habits that maintain or improve your health. This might include daily exercise, eating healthy, avoiding drugs or alcohol, etc.
As you get older, your values begin to drive your habits. If you have good values, you will develop good habits. If you have bad values, you will develop bad habits.
Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner and author of “Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life”, Effort-Less Wealth, Change Your Habits Change Your Life, Rich Habits Poor Habits and “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.”
