We all have our own share of bad habits, or behavioral patterns we wish we could put an end to.
While a lifetime of conditioning helps ingrain them into our everyday lives, it’s possible to make a conscious decision in this moment to choose an action with a more positive outcome.
Often times bad habits are included in the story of who we are as if they are facts and not minor details that can be changed to better suit our needs. If you’re feeling powerless to your actions then it may be time to reclaim your control over what isn’t working in your life. These tips can help you do just that:
Discover Where Your Bad Habits Lie
Sometimes we do something so often or with so little thought that we don’t notice how it negatively affects us. Maybe it’s resorting to a defensive tone when you talk to your spouse or putting off important assignments until Friday afternoon. Or perhaps it’s something as small as pushing the snooze button and always getting to work a few minutes late.
Once you realize what could be eliminated in order to decrease your stress level and make your live run more smoothly then it’s easier to recognize what changes need to be put into place.
Determine the “Why” Behind the Habits
While certain behaviors may seem arbitrary, there’s a thought process (even if it’s subconscious) behind everything that you do. As a child you might have decided that you’d be unfairly blamed for things if you didn’t defend yourself right off the bat. This then translated to you taking the same stance with your spouse.
By recognizing where a behavior comes from it’s easier to catch it in the moment and dispel the need to pursue that particular action or attitude. It also can help you see how its affected you throughout the course of your life, not just in that moment.
Choose a More Productive Choice
If you are doing away with a habit or pattern then it’s important to know what you intend on replacing it with. Make a list of alternative actions or responses so that when that particular moment arises you’re ready to make that more productive choice.
Just like the bad habits that you are trying to break, these good habits will soon become like second nature to you. However, this time the guilt and negativity will be replaced with an increase in productivity and a more stress-free existence. Isn’t that worth the extra work?
If you’d like to read more about how to break your bad habits, click here:
Please share your thoughts and personal experiences with bad habit breaking by leaving a comment below.
Thank you.
