As we go through life, we all acquire habits, and it’s the ‘bad’ ones we find bothersome and hard to get rid of.
I have done some research into how to change habits and this is what I found:
1. FOCUS
If you focus on kicking or overcoming a bad habit, you will re-inforce that habit and it will hold on ‘for dear life’. A better way would be to establish a new, good habit which will eventually push the old one out, as your focus will be on the good, new habit.
2. SMALL STEPS
The best way to establish a good habit is in small steps and continuous repetition (this is how all habits are formed). You have a better chance of success by repeating your new habit every day for a shorter time rather than just once a week for a longer time.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE
Make sure you can achieve the task you set yourself easily and consistently as beating yourself up about not doing it is very counter-productive.
Say you want to write a book, then your task could be to write just one sentence a day. Have a routine for that, like just after waking in the morning or last thing at night before you turn off the light.
I must admit, it does make sense to me and I am right in the middle of trying it out, and it seems to work. However, it is too early for concrete proof. I will let you know how I progress.
If you want to know more about
‘Giving Bad Habits the Cold Shoulder’
I hope to be running a workshop on this in April or May where I will give you more techniques, exercises and details to successfully establish good habits.
I have done some research into how to change habits and this is what I found:
1. FOCUS
If you focus on kicking or overcoming a bad habit, you will re-inforce that habit and it will hold on ‘for dear life’. A better way would be to establish a new, good habit which will eventually push the old one out, as your focus will be on the good, new habit.
2. SMALL STEPS
The best way to establish a good habit is in small steps and continuous repetition (this is how all habits are formed). You have a better chance of success by repeating your new habit every day for a shorter time rather than just once a week for a longer time.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE
Make sure you can achieve the task you set yourself easily and consistently as beating yourself up about not doing it is very counter-productive.
Say you want to write a book, then your task could be to write just one sentence a day. Have a routine for that, like just after waking in the morning or last thing at night before you turn off the light.
I must admit, it does make sense to me and I am right in the middle of trying it out, and it seems to work. However, it is too early for concrete proof. I will let you know how I progress.
If you want to know more about
‘Giving Bad Habits the Cold Shoulder’
I hope to be running a workshop on this in April or May where I will give you more techniques, exercises and details to successfully establish good habits.