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Have you ever tried to break a bad habit? In doing so, what were the challenges that you faced? How did you overcome them? Or, did you overcome them? 

When it comes to bad habits, all of us have them. And many of us have A LOT. So the idea of breaking bad habits seems like…

Too.

Much.

Work. Why? Because bad habits are actions we teach ourselves to do over and over because they are easy. And because they are easy, we do them . However, by intentionally choosing to develop good habits,  a new set of behavior can  become what we actually feel like doing. And the freedom that good habits can bring is life-changing.

Cultivating good habits keeps us from having to make a million hard decisions each day and thus frees us up to live our lives well. No longer do we have to stand staring in the refrigerator wondering what meal to conjure up or settling, comfortably, for the things we know we should not have. By forming a habit of meal planning, we can devote more time to conversation around the table with family and enjoy the payoffs that come with making healthier food choices. Developing good habits make it possible for you to spend your precious time on things that matter most and give you more time to fully enjoy and engage in your life.

So now what? What do you do when you’ve identified actions that are getting a little out of control? What do you do once you’ve decided that it’s time to do things differently? How do we begin to form new habits? When it comes to breaking bad habits and replacing them with better ones, there are several tips that will help move the needle forward and set you up for success.

Tip #1 – Keep track of your progress. 

Keeping track of your progress can help you to visualize yourself breaking the habit. Use a habit tracker to help you monitor your daily progress. Put sticky notes on your wall with a word of encouragement for each day and remove a sticky note each day as you go. Keep a journal. Or, create a reward system for yourself, breaking down your progress into milestones and celebrating along the way. Whatever the choice, choose what works best for you and helps you to pay attention to your life. In the words of Art Markman, “If you don’t keep track of what you’re doing you won’t notice your improvement”. 

Tip #2 – Replace the bad habit with a good one. 

Do the old thing a new way. What can you do to change your environment? How can you introduce something new into your environment without changing the course of your path? Who can hold you accountable? Maybe instead of watching T.V. right before bed until you fall asleep, set a timer on your T.V.. to automatically cut off at a certain time, signaling to you that it is time for you to close your eyes and rest. If you are not tired, read a book that will help you to fall asleep. If changing your diet is the habit you are working towards, maybe you and a friend could grocery shop and meal prep together. 

Tip #3 – Seek Out Accountability. 

Come out of the dark. Are there habits in your life that you do not want others to know about? Find a trusted friend with whom you can be honest that will also hold you accountable to eliminate the unwanted habit. You can also consider joining a support group. Taking the risk of vulnerability coupled with the risk of exposing the bad habit will help you to make progress towards your goal. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Why? Because in the end, you win!

Tip #4- Journal and reflect.

Leave margin in your life for reflection. How are you feeling as you maneuver through the change and the process? What is your reason for change, your why?  Why were you successful? Or, what led to the downfall? What are the challenges? How can you better arrange your life to support your new direction? Journaling and reflection will help you pay attention to who you are as you seek to gift yourself better behaviors.

Tip #5- Remember that every day is “day one”. 

Imagine that every day you are starting fresh. Every day is an opportunity to reset. Every day you can be successful! Even if you mess up one day, each day gives you an opportunity to start again.

So what habit do you need to eliminate?

Breaking your bad habits doesn’t have to be something that overwhelms you or that seems impossible. Hopefully these tips will help you in setting yourself up for success as you seek to create good habits and reserve energy for the investment of creating a life you love.

 

Highlights from Today’s Episode

  • Eliminate unwanted habits
  • Create healthy boundaries
  • Unlock the power of Day 1

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Other Stuff to Check Out

 

Let’s Talk!

  1. What habits do you need to eliminate? 
  2. Of the tips you’ve learned, which will you implement first?  How? 
  3. How will you manage your progress and celebrate your wins along the way?

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