We all have habits, some are good and others, well….we know they’re not serving us. The trick is becoming aware of our habits and then taking the time to identify where changes can be made.
Do you have habits you’re ready to quit?
Below are 5 steps to Break Free from Bad Habits for once and for all.
Before we begin, what exactly is a habit?
A habit is an idea that has been planted in your subconscious mind and is fed repetitively. After sufficient time, you act on the idea without giving it any conscious thought.
Breaking a habit can be tricky — but it doesn’t have to be!
Follow these 5 steps to help you break free of your bad habits.
So, Where do you start?
First, pull out a pen and a blank piece of paper.
1. Identify Your Habit
Think of a bad habit you would love to break. If a few come to mind, pick just one. Write down the habit on a sheet of paper, describing it in writing as vividly as you can. This helps your subconscious mind to identify the habit.
2. Think of the Opposite
Next, make a list of everything you associate with this habit. Be sure to write out everything that comes to mind whether it’s good or bad.
Next, ask yourself what the polar opposite of the behaviour you want to change would be. Then, write it out on a separate sheet of paper.
When you’re finished, burn the piece of paper with unwanted behavior list. Although this is merely a symbolic gesture, it is important that you destroy it to physically ‘let it go.’
3. Reinforce the Positive Behaviour
Write the positive behaviour three to five times every day and read it frequently.
Eventually, the new idea will start to take root in your subconscious mind, which will take power away from the old habit. The harmful habit will die from a lack of nourishment, and the positive one will take over.
4. Get to the Root
Next, get to the root or bottom of your habits.
You can do that by asking yourself the following types of questions about the habit you want to change:
- Why do I do this?
- Where did I get such an idea?
- What evidence do I have that it is a good idea?
Keep on digging until you’ve exhausted every possible scenario.
5. Reprogram Your Mind
Now that you’ve identified your the cause of your habit, create an affirmation (positive statement) that will help you reprogram your mind to create the new behaviour. This can be a simple statement such as, “I am strong,” “I am confident”. Read the affirmation out loud daily for 30 or more days.
Make your affirmation something simple, which you can easily repeat to yourself especially at times when your feel inclined to carry out your bad habit.
If you know your habits are preventing you from living your best life, then I hope you’ll set aside time to complete these five steps. Although you likely won’t recognise significant changes right away, sticking with this process can change your life.
