I've had to study human behaviour for 3 consecutive semesters, and I wouldn't say I have mastered all of the behaviours that there are.
In health and illness, some behaviours, when likened to the group under which they've been classified, still are not uniform. This illustrates how dynamic and complex the human behaviour is.
Let's do some behind-the-scenes stuffing.
A habit is an automatic action often formed through frequent repetition of what has been done in the past, while behaviour is a broader term that encompasses any action performed by an individual, which can be intentional or situational.
To break this down, a habit is like brushing your teeth every morning. It is something you do automatically without thinking, and it keeps your mouth clean.
WHILE,
A behaviour related to cleanliness could be a measure of how you keep your room tidy. If you regularly clean up and organise your space, that's good behaviour. But if you leave your room messy, when the discussion is about cleanliness, that is not good behaviour.
A habit can become a behaviour through consistent repetition and integration into your daily routine. When you repeatedly perform a habit, it becomes infused in your behaviour over time. This transition from a single action (habit) to a consistent pattern of actions (behaviour) occurs as you routinely incorporate the former into your daily life. It then becomes a natural part of how you behave in certain situations.
Keyword: Consistent.
But what if we're consistently doing something that's not leading us in the right direction?
What if we're stuck in a routine that's unproductive, annoying, unhealthy, or even unfulfilling?
That's when we need to be smart about where our consistency is taking us.
The saying, "Consistency is key." is true. When we repeatedly do something good, it becomes a part of who we are. It's like forming a habit, and it's the way we behave and get perceived by others.
It's fine to have these big dreams and aspirations. Likewise, it is beneficial to keep pushing forward towards achieving them. As such, we must be aware and question whether our consistent actions would align with our long-term aspirations.
An example that can be quite relatable is the act of “consistently” jotting down lecture materials into the notebook the exact way it is written in the slide with little or no modifications.
And for someone who does this consistently without looking back to see if he/she assimilated or truly understood what is being jotted, would we say the consistency would open the door to academic excellence (passing exams)?
Consistency is like a map, but one that doesn’t know the best path for us all the time. So, we need to be smart and open to trying a different path as the need arises.
Being consistent should go hand in hand with adaptability. If you find yourself consistently at the wrong door, it's just as right to stop, think for a moment, and restrategize (if needed).
Credit: Fearless Motivation
This isn't anything about giving up. It is simply the act of making critical decisions about where your consistency takes you.
I pray that you find the answers you need and that they guide you to the right path.
Till the very next time,