Habits and how to change them

The advantage of not being a student is that I can do pretty much whatever I want while I'm not working. No worries about exams or studying after classes. Time to train, to party, to read, to cook, etc.

So last night I've finished reading this book about habits. I've decided to bought it because I was curious why I was doing some activities without even thinking.

This book shows some clues about what is an habit and why we do it and like the title says "Why we do what we do and how to change". The book also gives an overview on how companies are now working to use our habit formations to sell and market products to us.

Think about something it took you a really long time to learn, like how to parallel park. At first, parallel parking was difficult and you had to devote a lot of mental energy to it. But after you grew comfortable with parallel parking, it became much easier — almost habitual, you could say.

Parallel parking, gambling, exercising, brushing teeth and every other habit-forming activity all follow the same behavioral and neurological patterns. 

So how do habits form? Simple. It turns out that every habit starts with a pattern called a "habit loop," which is a three-part process. First, there's a cue, that tells the brain to go into automatic mode and let a behaviour unfold.
Then there's the routine, which is the behavior itself and that's what we think about when we think about habits. The third step is the reward: something that the brain likes that helps it remember the "habit loop" in the future.

Some habits are good some don't. Like eating while watching TV or others.

So how can we change them? By simply change the routine.

A good read to understand my good and bad habits and how to change them. I'm going to apply the methods explained to change some of my life routines.

S.P.L

As for my S.P.L - sports part of life - I've decided to put a hold on my triathlon training last December. I've not stopped training completely but I was training just to be fit and healthy.

Since we are in the middle of the triathlon season in Portugal I've decided that I'll give more time to my bike training, my weakest part. My biggest goal for this year is to participate in the SkyRoad Grand Fondo in October (http://www.skyroad-grandfondo.com/index.php/pt/) and do some other smaller cycling and running events.

I'm going to save some money to buy a Powermeter (so I can train properly) and some competition wheels.

I'm now really proud to be part of this awesome project and in a team of champions: Charity Multisport

"The "Charity Multisport" is a voluntary organization, non-profitable, consisting of a multidisciplinary team focused on the sport of Triathlon, intended to meet the conditions to support the most disadvantaged communities, particularly in supporting young children and families in need through the implementation of a social project for charity called "3Hope, health, food and education" as well as supporting other projects existing external entities.


Internationally, our goal will be to travel the world, competing in the toughest endurance events in order to raise awareness and demonstrate that no obstacle is impossible. Our athletes are examples of strength, endurance and adaptability to the adversities of life, inspiring the community to achieve the same."

But my future continues uncertain. 1 more week to know!

Chocolate Box Life

Life is made of experiences. That's I was in need before starting my internship in January 2012.

And when I started working at the chocolaterie I wasn't sure what I was going to get.

The first month (December) was difficult and funny at the same time: 8/9 hours standing and talking with clients but also learning how to work with chocolate and pastry.
In January both Chefs that work at the chocolaterie knew it was time for me to go. I was going to begin my internship in Economics. But they didn't know I was going to help them as much as I could outside the chocolaterie.
So from January to March, they appeared on RTP, SIC Radical (both Portuguese TV channels), magazines, the Facebook page suddenly got new likes and they made partnership deals with some cooking brands.

They even filmed this video and it appeared in some international websites:



I continued to help them in the shop on Saturdays until  last week. I met a lot of people from different backgrounds, made some friends, talked hours with the clients and most of all learned different views of life.

It's not over for me. I will continue to give myself to this amazing project they have I just can't continue to be there all Saturdays.

I'm back to triathlon. As for my future job in 2 weeks time I will already know where I'm going to be for the next year, if here in Portugal or abroad.

I'll keep you updated.

Comeback circle

To return stronger and faster.

So this is briefly what happened to me:

After returning from the UK and finishing my Master Degree, I've decided to be part of a triathlon training group and was preparing the 2012 season while looking for a job.

Then a single afternoon with a friend changed my life. In December I've worked in a Chocolaterie in Lisbon, stopped training and got an internship that was going to start in January 2012.



So now we are in end of May: I'm almost finishing my internship (end of July), I've decided to finish working in the chocolaterie (I've met a lot of people and now I know a lot about chocolate, yes, chocolate!), I'm back to triathlon training and I'm already looking for a job (in Portugal or abroad).

This means it's also a comeback to my blog. See you soon!

Moments

My life has changed a bit.

I'll explain soon

Chocolate

I hope you understand my last post. Yes, I have worked for a month in a chocolate factory and shop in Lisbon and I'll continue to work there on Saturdays. I'm going to follow its project as I think it has everything to succeed. 

Hot Chocolate

This shop is called As Marias com Chocolate and it has the best Hot Chocolate in Lisbon in the winter months and the best Lemonade in summer. They also make sweets and candies, cakes, biscuits and milkshakes.

This was an idea of two of the best artisan confectioners of chocolate: Carmo Vasconcellos and Pedro Duarte. Both have graduated in Estoril Higher Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism and both have worked on some of the best restaurants in Lisbon like Michelin-star Porto de Santa Maria Restaurant or Bica do Sapato Restaurant. 

1 year ago they started this project from scratch. No help from big companies or industries just chocolate in its purest way, all made in the shop, all artisan chocolate made with Belgian Callebaut chocolate.

The shop is situated in Mercado de Santa Clara. If you are in Lisbon or planning to come this is the place to go.

Delicious!

December

Life is made of experiences. And last month a single afternoon (reported on the last post) changed my life.

Nothing better than the main pics to show what happened.

Here they are:


This Wednesday I will start something completely different: I will begin an internship in Economics in Lisbon that lasts until June 2012.

Have a great 2012! Enjoy life!