Habits define our personalities. And the Chinese zodiac says that our personalities reflect the traits of the animal sign we were born in. So why not combine these two and develop good habits based on the positive characteristics of the Chinese zodiac?
Accordingly, the Monkey represents flexibility and has other strong defining characteristics in the Chinese zodiac. Therefore, it is advisable to adopt the positive characteristics of the Monkey sign and make them a habit.
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What are habits
Habits are the thoughts and actions you perform on a daily basis without much thought. And experts say habits account for 40% of your daily actions.
With this fact, it is important to note that habits play an essential role in your life. Because your habits can make or break you.
The Monkey personality
The Chinese zodiac is based on animals chosen for their unique traits. And their significance in terms of a person’s personality, fortune, and birth year.
The ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac represents flexibility. The Monkey years are 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, and 2028.
Monkey people are sharp, smart, and curious. Furthermore, the Monkey sign is entertaining, optimistic, sociable, confident, wise, good at decision-making, and flexible.
Good habits to develop
The following are some good habits you can develop based on these distinctive Monkey characteristics:
Curiosity
Undoubtedly, curiosity is a fantastic habit to cultivate because it allows you to thrive in unfamiliar situations. It assists you in discovering new ideas, possibilities, and opportunities. That will lead to a more fulfilling and productive life.
How to develop curiosity
So, here are some ways you can develop your curiosity.
Have an open mind
If you want to develop a curiosity mindset, you must be willing to learn, adopt a new perspective, or upgrade to new learning.
When you keep your mind open to possibilities, you will be able to broaden your horizons more effectively.
Keep the questions coming
A sure way of knowing more about something is to ask questions. It’s certainly an excellent way of expanding your knowledge about something.
Asking about how something works, the process behind a successful outcome. Or how one thing relates to another can be eye-opening and lead you to new ideas, innovations, or opportunities.
Every experience is a chance for learning
Curious people always find an interesting point in a statement, activity, or idea provided. There is no such thing as a boring experience.
Keep reading
A curious mind reads. Especially on subjects that are unfamiliar.
Find time to read up on and explore other fields that you are unfamiliar with. It will help to strengthen your mental muscles and keep your mind sharp. You never know, you might come away with some interesting ideas to apply to your work or personal life.
Listen
Take the time to listen in order to fully comprehend what others have to say. Again, ask questions to find out if there are any feelings or emotions associated with what is being said.
Keep the conversation focused on the other person, not on yourself. Find out more about their experiences, perspectives, or ideas. What you discover may also assist you or provide you with an opportunity.
There are things you don’t know
Know that there are things you don’t know. They are hidden beneath the surface of everyday life. And it takes an inquisitive mind to peer beneath the surface and discover these new worlds and possibilities. It’s a start to a great learning experience.
Avoid multitasking
Multitasking lowers efficiency and performance. Because your mind can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
When you attempt to do two things at once, your brain becomes divided. And you will be unable to fully absorb new information.
Focusing on one thing at a time is the best way to learn and satiate curiosity.
Empathize
Take time to know and understand what others are going through. So that you can respond appropriately to the situation.
Optimism
Optimism is a state of mind that firmly believes that the result of an action or an event is positive and favorable. The belief, that whatever trials you are facing will pass and that you will triumph because of your abilities.
Because of this mindset, optimistic people are happier overall.
Furthermore, researchers claim that developing the habit of optimism has numerous benefits. Among these advantages are:
- Better overall health
- Reduced stress
- Increased longevity
- Improved relationships
- Increased self-esteem
- Enhanced problem-solving abilities
- Becoming more persistent
How to develop optimism
Fortunately, optimism can be learned. But, it will not be easy. So it is best to keep repeating the process.
As in any habit formation, repetition is the key factor in making a habit stick. Eventually, you will find it easier to practice optimism.
Here are some ways that will help you develop an optimistic mindset as a habit.
Give yourself credit
Give yourself credit for the positive events in your life. Reflect on how you contributed, both directly and indirectly, to the achievement and success of a goal using all of your abilities.
Keep a journal
Make a list of all the good things that have happened to you. Describe how these events occurred and what happened as a result. Write down your contribution to its success, just as you did in the previous point.
This journal will serve as a record of all your accomplishments. As well as an inspiration to keep going in the face of challenges or setbacks in your life.
Attitude of gratitude
When you are grateful for all that you have, you’ll know that you are not lacking. With an attitude of gratitude, you will attract more positivity in your life including optimism.
Visualize
Use the power of visualization. Picture the positive outcome of a goal you want to achieve. Expect good things to happen.
Stop, challenge, and replace the negative
Stop negative thoughts in their tracks whenever they enter your mind. Take a moment to reflect on the thought and consider why it is implausible. Then, change your focus to a positive thought.
For example, you were called to your immediate superior’s office. Your initial thought is that you’re going to be fired. Stop right there and question why you’d be fired in the first place. You’re good at what you do, and you’re a valuable asset to the company.
Then consider a more practical reason for your summons. Your boss may want you to lead a critical project or simply discuss the specifics of a work proposal you submitted.
This thought process for optimism can also be applied in your daily life.
Confidence
Confidence is your trust and belief in your abilities.
Fortunately, confidence is a soft skill that can be learned and practiced in order to live a happy and fulfilled life. And this is because having a strong sense of self-worth provides you with the following benefits:
- Less fear and anxiety.
- Increased resilience.
- Better health.
- Improved relationships.
- Better decision-making
How to develop confidence
Here are a few action steps to take to develop confidence:
Start within
Confidence starts from within. So believe in yourself. Love yourself.
Positive self-talk
Words have power and the words you tell yourself affect you. So make sure to say positive things to yourself. And whenever a negative thought enters your mind, stop it or shift it to a positive thought.
Attitude of gratitude
When you are grateful for all that you have, you’ll know that you are not lacking. With an attitude of gratitude, your fears and worries will disappear. Allowing you to be more positive and confident.
Improve your posture
A person’s gait and the way they carry themselves can reveal whether they are self-confident or not.
So, take the time to work on your posture. Practice. Take deep breaths, exhale, and lift your chin. Walking should be done at a steady pace with long strides that are appropriate for your body. Walk with a goal in mind.
Remind yourself of your achievements
Keep in mind that you’re not a loser. That you have what it takes to succeed. And that since you’ve accomplished something in the past, you’ll be able to accomplish it again today and in the future.
Decision making
Good decision-making is undeniably the most essential habit you can develop. Especially at work.
The choices you make affect your overall health, relationship, safety, and your priorities. As such, it is best to keep in mind the following when you need to make a tough decision.
Know your most productive time
Because mental energy is a finite resource, it is important to recognize when your energy is at its highest. Then, schedule your critical decision-making tasks in that time frame.
This way, your mind is operating at peak efficiency. And you are more likely to make sound decisions.
Remove or limit distractions
Without a doubt, the technology we have today has provided us with enormous benefits and convenience. However, it has also created a barrage of information that we have to process. As a result, our mental energy gets depleted even further.
So, to conserve energy, limit your screen time on social media, streaming services, news, and even emails. You can also turn off your phone when you are working on important tasks.
Stop multitasking
Doing several tasks at the same time is counterproductive. It certainly divides your focus and also the effectiveness of your decision-making.
So when faced with an all-important task that needs a decision, set aside a time block. And concentrate solely on the task at hand.
Pay attention to your emotions
Extreme emotions, such as anger or happiness, have been shown in studies to impair decision-making. Therefore, awareness of your emotional state is essential when faced with a difficult or important decision.
When experiencing uneven emotions, take time to clear your mind. Take a break. Go out for a short walk. Return to your task when you are more focused and level-headed.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the willingness and ability to change in order to adapt to changing circumstances. It entails compromising rather than being stiff or rigid.
Being flexible is an important aspect of life. Because it prevents us from feeling frustrated and other negative emotions when things don’t go our way.
Furthermore, flexibility is essential for the following reasons:
- improves personal and professional relationships
- improves creativity
- less stress and anxiety over things over which you have no control
- enables learning
- results in a higher quality of life because you are not going against the grain
How to develop flexibility
Considering how we can improve our lives by being flexible, especially in light of the current events in our world. Check out the tips below to help you develop and maintain flexibility in all aspects of your life.
Be open to change
Keep in mind that things, ideas, and plans can and will change at any time. There may also be different outcomes and approaches to achieving a goal.
So let go of the notion that things should only come out one way. If you keep this attitude, you’ll be setting yourself up for a life of disappointment, rage, and frustration.
Step out of the box you confined yourself in and explore the many possibilities outside your comfort zone. Be open to new experiences and information.
You can change your mind
Allow yourself the freedom to change your mind. It doesn’t mean you’re fickle; it just means you’re willing to reconsider your position in light of new information. In this quote, John H. Patterson said it best:
“Only fools and dead men don’t change their minds. Fools won’t and dead men can’t.”
– John H. Patterson
Mistakes are opportunities for growth
Often, we put pressure on ourselves to always be correct. This compulsion with being right, due to fear of making mistakes, results in inaction. And hence, no opportunity for growth.
Remember that making mistakes is a normal part of life. So, take chances and try new things. Mistakes do not imply failure. On the contrary, they are opportunities for learning.
So be kind to yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn to take things in stride for a balanced, peaceful, and creative life.
Summary
According to the Chinese zodiac, your animal sign can have an impact on your personality. And, as the New Year approaches, here are some good habits to develop from the Monkey sign of the Chinese zodiac.
- Curiosity
- Optimism
- Confidence
- Decision-making, and
- Flexibility.
Please share your thoughts about this article in the comments below. You can also read 12 Good Habits From The Animal Signs (Chinese Zodiac), 12 Good Habits From The Zodiac, and Building Good Habits For Your To Be.
Additionally, you may like the habits you can develop from the other animal signs of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Outside references:
CHINESE ZODIAC – MONKEY
Using Learned Optimism in Your Life
5 Steps to Being More of an Optimist
Tapping the Power of Optimism
6 Reasons We Make Bad Decisions, and What to Do About Them
11 Tips For Being Confident From Within