ORID

 This is an ORID exercise - objective, reflective, interpretive and decisional

Objective (choose one habit): read a page every day - constancy is better than intensity for initiate a habit.

Reflective:

Reading as a medicine to heal our negative emotions and mental illnesses: Reading can also reduce people’s stress and make them happier. One study by Rizzolo et al. (Brecher, 2009) showed that 30 minutes of reading could minimize blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress.

Reading   as   an   accelerator   to   increase   comprehension   and   critical thinking: people improve their critical thinking and comprehension through reading more than listening (Grant, 2003).

Strategies to develop a reading habit: whether it needs 21, 31, or 101 days does not matter. What precisely counts is the repetition of the habit we are building (Clear, 2018). As shown in Figure 1, Point A refers to the new habit we desire to develop. It requires much effort and intense focus. Once we repeat that action several times, we will move from Point A to Point B. This means that the action less effort for our performance. As we keep repeating the action long enough we will pass the habit line and reach Point C. Beyond this threshold, the action is completed easily and automatically. Finally, we form a new habit. Clear’s (2018) explanation of this point is very vital.  When it comes to forming any habit, the number of repetitions is much more important than the number of days.

Interpretive: I chose reading as a habit because it was something I struggled with in my childhood. I used to procrastinate constantly, avoiding it whenever I could. As an adult, I realized that the reason I wasn't interested was because I didn't find the topic appealing. As I became more independence, I explored different types of books. I also realized that reading had been associated with tests or difficult assignments for a large portion of my childhood. It often meant long nights of studying, giving up activities that I enjoyed to focus on academics. It took some time to realize that reading could be enjoyable; you just have to find your own path. Experimenting with different genres is crucial, but you’ll only find out what resonates with you if you take the first step, and start reading.

Decisional: for monitoring the progress, I’ve downloaded the Loop app, designed for tracking and maintain new habits. By making a timetable for my activities, including allocating specific time for reading, this software helps me organize my day. I'll also keep myself accountable and visibly record my progress using a physical tracker, such as a calendar. I'll use a reward system to keep myself motivated, beginning with small rewards, such a cup of coffee, and as I progress, the rewards can get even better, making the habit both enjoyable and rewarding.

Bibliography

Brecher, L. (2009). Summer reading for mental health: Care Finds A Way. https://chd.org/2021/06/23/summer-reading/.

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery.

Grant, A. (2003). Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.