How many things we read that make us vibrate, that show us the path to what we want to be, to the things we want to improve, but I'm sorry to tell you that just reading to improve is of no use... except if one decides to apply something. Action is the most important thing. The learning process consists of 3 phases: receiving information, applying it and creating the habit. Applying things is progress, but applying them for a truly significant period of time so that they become a habit of your behavior is what is truly valuable. In your character.

Normally when we apply something for the first time it is very difficult for us because we leave our circle of comfort, area of domain and routine where we are comfortable and accustomed, outside of there the unconscious gives us excuses and reasons not to try it. Only when enough time has passed and we have dedicated the necessary time to it do these new behavioral patterns become habits, then we act without thinking.

Our brain creates habits through neural pathways, a “tour” of neurons that our brain has established by repetition between the stimulus received and the response triggered. For example, when we receive an external stimulus through our senses, for example, finding ourselves in a traffic jam, the mind tends to act as we normally do, making us nervous, getting angry following the neural path. The good news is that we can create new neural pathways. If we stop indulging a behavior or emotion for a long enough time, the neural connection will weaken and the pattern will disappear.

It is also important to understand that we can modify our habits but not radically because the temperament we are born with is genetic and we cannot change it. But we can act on the character that is learned and modifiable. Both temperament and character form our personality full of habits that form our attitude. To develop a habit we will have to put 3 elements into play: desire, capacity and effort, wanting to do it (1), discover how to do it (2) and do it until it becomes a habit and forms part of our character (3).

Document adapted by Cristina Oroz Bajo

Original source: “The Attitude Effect” Managing enthusiasm in personal and professional life by Victor Küppers, 2006.