How to Get Past Your “Second Mistake” and Make the Habit Stick the Next Go Around.

As-salamu alaykum,

Welcome back friends. Let’s pick up from where we left off last week.

The first principle is to avoid the second mistake because it's clearly a marker of a pattern - that the habit may be slipping away from you.

You missed Jumu’ah prayer 2 weeks in a row.

Dr. Abdullah has missed his weekly 5-day 30-min workout all through last week 

Dentist Farah did not complete any progress notes for 3 days in a row.

You get the drift now let's attempt to get back on track together using these 5 strategies. 

1. Examine Your Niyyah (Intention)

Do you really want this habit? Is it consistent with the identity that you are trying to build? What is the opportunity cost for not doing it now and the compound effect of it snow-balling in a couple of years? Are you inclined towards the habit for a worldly gain primarily like your paycheck or have you elevated your primary intention and aligned it with Allah’s will so that your intrinsic motivation is holistic success in this life and the hereafter?

2. Focus on Starting (Today!) 

So you really want this habit and have spent some time optimizing your niyyah so that you get the worldly benefits and you try your best to not lose out on the hereafter impact.

You are, however, stuck on rebooting to the exact same level where you slipped up from. Implementation science teaches us to keep it simple. 

Dr. Abdullah - do the seven-minute workout today! Or even just a few push ups. 

Dentist Forson - commit to finishing the progres note after your first encounter on your next office day. 

Nurse Stacy - start with reading your Quran today for 5 mins.

The start will set you back up on the path to building up your momentum towards the ideal version of the habit you are working on.

3. Bring in the Professional Ethos

In healthcare, we are held to professional standards. One way to think of that is delivering a similar level of quality of work on a consistent basis - not perfection.

Remember what the Prophet Muhammad taught us in his interaction with Aisha (RA) about the “deeds that are loved most by Allah”;

Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability." [Sahih al-Bukhari 6465]

We can carry over this professionalism to our habits by making sure that they are tied to a trigger;

1. Schedule it - Calender apps are helpful here 

Jumu’ah scheduled/blocked on my calendar barring any patient care emergencies. (Buddy to cover for me arranged and permission to leave sorted)

OR

2. Stack it with a habit or a workflow that's already established

Think about it this way;

After I [ Anchor/Trigger] , I will [New Habit]

Dr. Abdullah: After I pray Fajr Salah, I will do 5 push-ups.

Dentist Farah: After I see each patient, I will complete the progress note.

4. Find A Buddy To Hold You Accountable

The companions of Prophet Muhammad PBUH held each other accountable to high standards that they set. 

Good friends help us stay true to the identity that we are pursuing.

Mentors and Coaches support us in ways that challenge us to stick to the plan even in small ways.

I’m thankful that you all play that role somewhat for me as much as some of my closer associates. 

5. Design Your Environment for Success

So you want to floss everyday after you brush your teeth. Is your floss container in sight close to your toothbrush? 

You want to read the Quran for 5 minutes after Fajr Salah. Is your Qur’an within easy reach next to your prayer mat?

You want to read 1 page of a self-development book every day. Do you have a book in that genre in the space where you will be triggered to read it?

The more obvious and accessible the trigger, the more likely we are to be successful with taking the next step and executing on the habit.

And finally, don’t forget to celebrate in a way that’s meaningful to you after each win. It closes that habit loop that keeps you and I going and returning to the habit.

Consider an “Alhamdulillah!” or a “Sujud of Gratitude”, a piece of chocolate or an ice cream cone, a transfer to your vacation savings account etc.

Friends and colleagues, as healthcare workers aspiring towards growth and cultivating resilience (#burnoutproof), understanding our nafs (the self) and how to work with and on ourselves is central to this journey if we are to become people of impact that benefit others in the healthcare industry and beyond. 

Let’s keep in mind the 3 principles from the last SakeenahMD newsletter and the 5 strategies shared today at the intersection of prophetic wisdom and modern peak performance science to optimize our trajectory on this beautiful journey together.

May Allah, the Most High, grant us all the staying ability to cultivate good habits and leave unproductive ones as we serve the healthcare community and others. Amin 

Sincerely,

Sulyman

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