Some years back I was in a group discussion and we were asked to give examples of habits. Some persons responded with some examples of habit. Almost everyone that responded gave an example of a bad habit and one will almost think that all about habit is bad. Habit can either be good or bad; it isn’t just bad.

Habit is ‘regularly repeated behavior pattern: an action or pattern of behavior that is repeated so often that it becomes typical of somebody, although he or she may be unaware of it.’ (Encarta dictionary).

Habit is formed when we repeatedly do a thing until it is typical of us that it is possible to do it even when we are not aware of it. We form habit and later the habit forms us. We are to develop good habits and break the bad ones.

Aristotle said ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit’. You are what you repeatedly do. Your habit makes you. Excellence can also be taken as a habit.

Vince Lombardi said, ‘winning is a habit; unfortunately so is losing’. He also said that ‘once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit’

A habit is not learnt in a day; it is learned over a period of time, involving a repeated pattern over a period of time until it is typical of you. Write down what you want to learn to do and do it repeatedly. It may be difficult initially but be patient and consistent with it and you will soon see that it will become easier.

Don’t forget that we form habit and later the habit forms us. Staying aloof to form a good habit is a habit itself.