"I'll never do that again.” Admit that you’ve said it after you finished an entire pizza, a can of soda, or a jumbo bag of M&Ms. If you say it the chances that you will do it again are sky high. Actually about 40% of our actions are habits so that means we are on autopilot about half of the time. There are three things you must do to make your “bad” habits become “good” habits.
1. Pay Attention
I know at first cutting back on habits is hard. You are not alone, but the trick is to have it out of sight. The saying “Out of sight, out of mind” is true. In this case Throw out the donuts, hide the booze, don’t buy the soda. Make what you shouldn’t be doing hard and what you should be doing easy. If that thought is just impossible for you at first make the effort to reduce the habit. For example if you drink 3 cans of soda a day, try to drink the same number of cans each day for a few days (but no more than 3) then gradually start drinking less and less until BOOM you don’t need them anymore! Over time this little bit of effort in your self control will help you big time.
2. What Provokes You?
Identify what makes you go tick. Is it a certain friend that obviously isn’t sassy enough for you, coworker, stress? Do you reach for the can of soda because you need a afternoon burst of energy? Just knowing what makes you shake will make a difference in changing your ways.
3. In Lieu Of
OK so you have identified the habit, know the trigger...now what? Try to do something new to take the place of the old habit. An example: “If I reach for a soda instead I will eat an apple to give me energy” You can do this with any habit. “If I want....then I will...” Will power may not work for everyone but what does work is replacing old habits with something new.
Your friends or maybe even your health conscious cousin can help you make changes in your life. Friends are one of the biggest influences and can be an important tool for habit change. Pick your friends wisely though. You shouldn't be surrounding yourself with people that will make your new lifestyle change challenging. You want to be around people whose life choices you want to emulate.
1. Pay Attention
I know at first cutting back on habits is hard. You are not alone, but the trick is to have it out of sight. The saying “Out of sight, out of mind” is true. In this case Throw out the donuts, hide the booze, don’t buy the soda. Make what you shouldn’t be doing hard and what you should be doing easy. If that thought is just impossible for you at first make the effort to reduce the habit. For example if you drink 3 cans of soda a day, try to drink the same number of cans each day for a few days (but no more than 3) then gradually start drinking less and less until BOOM you don’t need them anymore! Over time this little bit of effort in your self control will help you big time.
2. What Provokes You?
Identify what makes you go tick. Is it a certain friend that obviously isn’t sassy enough for you, coworker, stress? Do you reach for the can of soda because you need a afternoon burst of energy? Just knowing what makes you shake will make a difference in changing your ways.
3. In Lieu Of
OK so you have identified the habit, know the trigger...now what? Try to do something new to take the place of the old habit. An example: “If I reach for a soda instead I will eat an apple to give me energy” You can do this with any habit. “If I want....then I will...” Will power may not work for everyone but what does work is replacing old habits with something new.
Your friends or maybe even your health conscious cousin can help you make changes in your life. Friends are one of the biggest influences and can be an important tool for habit change. Pick your friends wisely though. You shouldn't be surrounding yourself with people that will make your new lifestyle change challenging. You want to be around people whose life choices you want to emulate.
