Making and Breaking Habits

There's a popular theory that if you do something for 21 days you'll form a habit.  This theory is based on the work of Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon from the 1950s.  After observing that many of his patients took roughly 21 days to get used to the results of their operation, he published a book that stated his observation.  His quote started a whole self help movement based on the 21 day theory.

Why do I know this?  I just finished the 21 Day Fix, a work out program where I worked out every day for 21 days.  I feel physically better but also mentally satisfied that I was able to meet my goal.  So I was really hoping that there was some scientific evidence that supported the 21 day theory! Unfortunately, the research I found stated the 21 day idea is a myth.

The formation of a habit has more to do with the person, the behavior, and the circumstances.  Making or breaking of habits can take longer but that's ok.  The research actually reflects what we've seen at Cooper.  The formation of habits is a process not an event.  It is okay to slip up, give yourself permission to make mistakes, and use the strategies you've learned through living the 7 Habits to get back on track.

As I was reflecting on the idea of the 21 day myth and habit formation, I opened the newspaper this weekend to an article in the Parade magazine entitled Breaking Bad Habits.  Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, is now studying habits.  She believes that when thinking about forming a new habit we need to think, "What's everything I could do to set myself up for success?"  She believes that everyone falls into roughly four personality categories: upholder, obliger, questioner, and rebel.  Rubin states that changing habits is possible if we think about how we respond to expectations.  She claims that personality+pairing=success.

Good habits require consistent commitment but no habit is going to be made or broken unless you get started.  What's a new habit you would like to commit to?

• Greeting students every morning
• Revisiting Data Notebooks more often
• Community Meetings
• Walking at lunch
• Eating breakfast
• Writing in a journal

Whether it takes 21 days or 100 days, the only thing to do is to get started.  If you want to find out more about your personality type, visit parade.com/habits.  For anyone that is interested, I think I'm a pretty classic upholder with a slight swing to the obliger side from time to time.  :)

Week of March 23, 2015:

Monday: 9:00 Student Interview (Terry)

Tuesday: 1:15 Fire Drill
                3:45 Lighthouse

Wednesday: 8:00-3:30 Apple Leadership for Learning (Sarah)
                     3:45 Planning Team
                     6:00 Battle of the Books @FHS

Thursday: 8:00 Staff Meeting
                 8:30-11:30 School Improvement Diagnostics (Sarah, Terry, Robin) @Johnson
                 4:00 Champs Enthusiasm Event

Friday: Elementary Work Day!