Tap. Tap. Tap. The sun was up, and the morning sun shone brightly. I looked around my home trying to discover that hidden incessant tapping noise. I entered my living room and noticed this tiny little bird attempting to fly through my window. Persistently, it kept hitting it. Was it seeing its own reflection? Did it find the plants near my window tantalizing? Did it desire to come in and keep me company? The poor little birdie that kept hitting my window did not realize that translucent barrier. Did it not realize that it was hurting itself? I surely noticed. I did my best to scare it away. Day after day it returned. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Days passed. This little bird continued the tapping. Habitually, it came to “visit.” After a few days, contemplating this curious behavior, I felt it necessary to give it a name. I called it Habit. The name was more than appropriate. His behavior was repetitive and reminded me of my own habits. How could I judge Habit when I kept hitting my own window? That window was the barrier that needed to be realized and acknowledged.

Day after day, Habit became a reminder of those unhealthy habits I too possessed and the barriers that kept me from changing and growing. I decided to investigate this a bit further. Here is what my new little friend Habit taught me:

H – Having habits is part of life. As the tapping became part of my life, so did the habits I consciously and unconsciously developed. It is said humans are creatures of habit. They are built through learning and repetition. Being aware that actions turn into habits may help in preventing immediately harmful behavior from developing.

A – Address behaviors before they become difficult to change. It was a challenge for me to be aware of my questionable habits. Self-awareness is the key to noticing self-destructing habits that may inhibit a successful future. Realizing unhealthy behaviors moves one forward towards seeking resources, finding a support system, locating assistance (medical or therapeutic).

B – Begin new healthy and positive habits. We underestimate ourselves that we have the power of choice. Saying to oneself, “I have the power to choose to …,” is establishing a powerful and positive mindset that assists with meaningful life-transforming habits. List healthy positive habits you desire to possess, and steps needed to fulfill them. Create a vision board. (Visit my website on how to create a vision board). Work on positive personal changes daily. Today is a wonderful day to begin a new way of life!

I – Imagine a new you. Visualization is a powerful tool one can use to transform harmful habits into healthy ones. Ask yourself, “How do I see myself within short-term and long-term time frames if I continue repeating this behavior?” “Are these behaviors creating a positive or negative impact on those people close to me?” Now imagine yourself choosing, feeling, and being free from harmful habits. Meditate on this and receive the strength and courage to make these life changing steps that bring about enjoyment, self-fulfillment, and satisfaction.

T – Trust and believe in oneself. We all possess the strength and courage necessary to live happy and healthy lives. Unfortunately, we may not believe we are able to accomplish this. There may be days of self-doubt, discouragement, negative surroundings, where debilitating self-talk creeps in and pushes a person 20 steps backwards from the one step taken forward. Do not despair! Remember “You Got This!” Believe in yourself to stop tapping at the window.

One day my friend Habit stopped tapping and I no longer had its company. I wonder if Habit found another tempting window to tap at or realized its repeated behavior was unbeneficial and futile. I must admit, although Habit became a habit, I was relieved when the tapping stopped.

Nonetheless, the time we spent together was a memorable, learned, and shared moment. Perhaps one day I will hear from it again, this time, via text that would read, “Please stop cleaning your windows so well!”

Diana Jaworski, F.O.C.U.S. Coaching Services, is a certified coach, teacher, trainer, and speaker with Maxwell Leadership Certified Team. Learn more about personal growth by visiting her website at www.dianajaworski.com.