We Are Our Habits

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

– Aristotle –

Did you know a habit originally was a word for clothing? Some nurses who studied at a Catholic school would know this.

But a habit also is “a routine behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur unconsciously.”

– Merriam-Webster Dictionary –

Since we are our habits and our habits are largely unconscious, we need to become more aware. And to be a better nurse we have to become more conscious.

There are good habits and bad habits. Look at your closet. Do you like the clothes you have in there or is it time for a new wardrobe? When I was in nursing, my closet was all white. Is your closet full of scrubs or do you need a new habit?

We all need new habits to improve our practice and to make us better nurses. New habits can prevent us from getting in trouble so we are able to speak our minds, stand in our power and be a change agent to improve patient care.

If you are taking shortcuts in your practice, be very careful. Shortcuts are the easiest way to get into trouble. It seems I am hearing from more nurses who, out of survival, have developed shortcuts in their practice that are not in compliance with the facility’s policies and procedures. Don’t get in the habit of taking short cuts.

It is hard to break a habit because it is ingrained in our subconscious. Do you pay attention to which leg of your pants you put in first? Try to be conscious about putting the other leg in first. It will feel strange but after a period of time, it will be a new habit. So to break an old habit, first, you need to be conscious of it and keep practicing the new behavior so it becomes the new habit. What habit would you like to change to improve your practice and your life? Make a commitment and practice.