How to Replace Bad Habits With Good Ones?

In this blog post, I'll talk about mastering productivity through 'Sustained Vigilance' a.k.a. re-programming your habits

Share:

Aug 13, 2023 519 Words

Read Time: 3 Minutes

In this blog post, I'll talk about mastering productivity through 'Sustained Vigilance' a.k.a. re-programming your habits

😄 This blog post was inspired by computer programming. Especially, the “If-Then-Else” conditional implementations. I came across this idea during my daily journaling sessions.

Introduction

In the pursuit of enhanced productivity and personal growth, many of us grapple with the challenge of breaking unproductive habits and cultivating beneficial ones.

This struggle often arises from our response to triggers—instinctual cues that prompt certain actions.

In this blog post, I will delve into the concept of “Sustained Vigilance,” a systematic approach that enables us to reprogram our responses to triggers, thereby replacing counter-productive habits with intentional actions.

Understanding Triggers and Responses

Triggers are those instinctual moments that lead us down the path of unproductive habits. These triggers include feeling tired, anxious, hungry, or even simply being in a specific environment. Our habitual responses to these triggers are often driven by comfort, leading to behaviors that do not align with our goals.

The Sustained Vigilance Approach

Sustained Vigilance is a proactive technique that involves consciously reprogramming our responses to triggers. Instead of falling back into the comfort of unproductive habits, we deliberately choose intentional actions that align with our aspirations. Here’s how to implement the Sustained Vigilance approach effectively:

  1. Identify Triggers: The first step is to recognize the triggers that prompt undesirable behaviors. These triggers are a part of our daily lives and are often tied to common occurrences such as fatigue, anxiety, or hunger

  2. Intentional Responses: For each trigger, establish intentional responses that counteract the unproductive behavior. For instance, if you typically reach for your phone upon waking up, create an alternative response like splashing water on your face before grabbing your phone

  3. Mindfulness and Intent: The core of Sustained Vigilance lies in mindfulness and intent. It’s about being aware of your triggers and consciously choosing to respond differently

  4. Repetition and Practice: Repetition is key to reprogramming your responses. Consistently practicing intentional responses will gradually replace the old habits with new, productive ones

  5. Inverting Negative Patterns: To break free from negative patterns, invert them. Redirect your energy from unproductive behaviors like scrolling through social media when anxious to activities that contribute to personal growth, such as jotting down your goals

  6. Take Control: By practicing Sustained Vigilance, you’re taking control over your actions and reactions. Over time, this control becomes a powerful tool for enhancing productivity

  7. Mindful Implementation: Embrace the intentional practice, even if it feels challenging initially. With dedication, you can overcome the initial hurdles and make sustained vigilance an integral part of your routine

Conclusion

Mastering productivity is not an easy feat, but with the application of Sustained Vigilance, it becomes achievable.

By consciously reprogramming our responses to triggers, we can gradually replace unproductive habits with intentional actions that align with our goals.

Remember, the journey to Sustained Vigilance may have its challenges, but through dedication and practice, you can transform your habits and pave the way for personal growth and productivity.

I’m currently practicing Sustained Vigilance to break free of my bad habits, it’s been working well for me until now.

I hope this technique finds home in your life. Feel free to message me about how it went.

Few more issues:

Find more posts from following topics

1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
2
20
2024
21
22
23
24
26
27
28
29
3
30
4
5
6
8
@binding
abbacchio
accurate-requests
anime
api-development
api-testing
api-testing-tools
array
automated-testing
bad-habits
base64-decoder
base64-encoder
biography
blog
blogging
books
browser
bulma-css
bulma.io
bulmacss
button-swiftui
chatgpt
chrome
clipboard
code
code-block
code-navigation
code-snippet
codecoverage
comparison
compile
computer-networks
configuring-debugger-for-django-in-vs-code
configuring-launch.json-for-python-debugger
copy
copy-to-clipboard
copy-to-clipboard-neovim
css
current-date
current-time
current-timestamp
database
debugger-setup-in-visual-studio-code
debugging-django-app-in-visual-studio-code
debugging-python-code-in-visual-studio-code
debugging-python-programs-with-visual-studio-code
debugging-python-with-virtual-environment-in-vs-code
december
developer-productivity
developers
development-workflow
django
django-rest-framework
dom
dynamic-sitemap-in-nextjs
encryption
engineering-dashboard
enumerate
experience
fiction
flowcharts
generics
git
git-diff
github
global-keyboard-shorcut
global-shortcut
go-hugo
go-programming
go-test
go-to-line
go-tool
go1.18
golang
golang-development
golden-wind
good-habits
gorilla-websocket
gpt
gpt-3.5
gpt-4
gpt-4-api
guide
gumroad
habits
habits-tracker-notion-template
hamburger-menu
hotkeys
html
hugo
ide
image
image-sharing
image-tool-for-ios
imagerenderer
include-timestamp
integrated-development-environment
ios
ios-16
ios16
iphone
iphone-13
iphone-13-pro
iphone-13-pro-max
javascript
jojos-bizzarre-adventure
jump-to-definition
keyboard-shortcut
leonardo-da-vinci
lessons
linux
logging
ls
lsp
macos
map
markdown
markdown-code
mental-programming
menu
menubarextra
mergesort
mermaid-syntax
mistake-tracker-notion
mobile-view
modifier
modulo-operation
navbar
navigationlink
navigationstack
neovim
nested-functions
next.js
nextjs
nextjs-markdown
nextjs-sitemap
nextjs-sitemaps
nice-shot
nice-shot-pro
notion
notion-api
notion-api-python
notion-budget
notion-budget-template
notion-budget-tracker
notion-bug-report-tracker
notion-dashboard
notion-expense-manager
notion-habits
notion-habits-dashboard
notion-habits-template
notion-habits-tracker
notion-habits-tracker-template
notion-issue-tracker
notion-mistake-tracker
notion-product
notion-product-dashboard
notion-product-roadmap
notion-product-roadmap-dashboard
notion-tasks
notion-tasks-dashboard
notion-tasks-template
notion-tasks-tracker
notion-template
notionworkspaces
november
october
openai
osx
pagination
personal-ifttt-framework
photospicker
photospickeritem
phpickerfilter
postgres
postman-capabilities
postman-request
pre-request-script
product-roadmap-notion-template
product-roadmap-template
productivity
programming
python
python-api
python-debugger-tutorial-for-vs-code
python-debugging-mode-in-vs-code
python-notion-api
python3
reading
real-time-communication
rehype
remark
request-data
running-debugger-in-visual-studio-code
running-django-app-in-debugging-mode
running-program-in-debugging-mode-in-vs-code
running-python-code-in-debugging-mode
safari
screenshot-app-for-ios
screenshot-app-ios
screenshot-ios
screenshot-tool-for-ios
september
set-current-timestamp
setting-up-debugger-in-vs-code-for-python
share-extension
sharelink
sharepreview
sharesheet
simple-websocket-server
sitemap
slice
slices
slider
sort
sorting
space-complexity
sql
ssh
step-by-step-guide
stocks-profits-tracker
stocks-profits-tracker-template
stocks-tracker
struct
sustained-vigilance
swift
swiftui
swiftui-button
swiftui-button-action
swiftui-button-style
table-of-contents
tasks-tracker-notion-template
tcp
test
testing
textfield-swiftui
til
tim-sort
time-complexity
timeliness
timestamp-integration
timsort
transferable
triggers-and-actions
tutorial
unittest
unix
us-stocks
usa-stocks
useful-ios-features
using-breakpoints-in-python-debugger
using-virtual-environment-with-python-debugger
vanilla-javascript
variable
vim
visual-mode
visual-studio-code
vs-code
vscode
vscode-go-to-line
walter-isaacson
web-sockets-in-go
websocket-client
websocket-programming
websocket-server
white-screen-of-death
wsod
xcode
xss