In the previous article, we learned about helpful decluttering techniques that build a stress-free, organized and controlled mind. We now know that the benefits of a decluttered mind greatly outweigh the sacrifices of this journey. A decluttered mind is like a shiny piece of metal that is constantly interacting with its surroundings. In the absence of regular care, these interactions are bound to have a negative effect resulting in a dull and rusted metal.
Our mind also needs a strategy to avoid a relapse into clutter. A strategy focused on executing decluttering techniques is critical for long term success. However, it takes a life-long commitment to maintain self-discipline, and deal with cravings and triggers in different situations throughout your life.
Let’s look at some habits that you can form to build self-discipline and a pathway to success.
Create a daily schedule. You control your time and it starts with saying no to things that distract you from your goals. Review your goals each morning before you start your day, or set and review your goals the night before. Time management and goal setting go hand in hand.
Keep track or a lekha of your thoughts. The mysimran.info app is a great tool for this. There’s simply no better way to learn about your thoughts than to write them down and keep track. This way you can understand what contaminates your mind and the steps you can take to avoid those activities.
Do Simran to constantly remember God with every breath. Simran gives strength to your mind. This strength helps to discern between right or wrong, useful or useless. When Simran becomes a habit then your lifestyle will reflect a personality that is compassionate, caring, and responsible towards itself and others in the community. Forming other habits also becomes much easier once you have Simran as the foundation.
Exercising regularly is a habit that tests your physical and mental strength. To instill the habit of exercise in your life, start small. Begin by getting up from your office seat every 20 minutes to take a walk. Add a perpetual reminder on your calendar to remind you. Do that for one week until it becomes a full-blown habit. As you progress, add 30 minutes or more for exercise every day in your daily schedule.
Keep Sangat of people who share common goals with you. Sangat can bring you back if you stray too far from your goals. Sangat will reveal techniques that can shorten your learning curve.
Finally, Rinse & repeat. Persistence and patience will keep you moving. Habit forming is hard work. Habits are at the very heart of who we are. Self-discipline is our commitment to ourselves to be successful and our habits decide if we can stay disciplined. Habits take a long time (sometimes decades) to form but once formed, they become a natural extension of our personality. And then the journey to our goals is enjoyable and meaningful.
