[[:encoded, "Samuel Johnson said: The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. \n\nBad habits can be difficult to break. Bad habits are a repetitive form of behavior that becomes so enmeshed in your psyche, they quickly become instinctual and involuntary.\n\nEach year people spend thousands of hours and dollars attempting to break free of a pattern of bad behavior, but the majority fails.\n\nWhy?\n\nBecause there is no magical solution. Breaking a bad habit typically requires hard work and there are no shortcuts.\n\nTo effectively change a bad habit, you need to firstly recognize that the habit exists, and then make a conscious decision to overcome it.\n\nPain vs Gain\nThe most critical exercise in beginning the process of breaking a bad habit is looking at what is the payoff and what is the cost?\n\nLet’s look at alcohol abuse: ask yourself “what do I gain by having 5 or 6 drinks every night when I get home from work?” Of course, the answer is easy.\n\nFor you it might be, “A drink or two relaxes me”, “I have time to think about the day’s events”, or “I can forget about the stresses of the day”. \n\nThen you must honestly answer the question: “But what is it costing me?”\n\nThe answer may be less time with your spouse and family, a monumental hangover in the morning, alcohol may make you cranky and moody, or in a worse-case scenario, you may become abusive and hostile. What is it doing to our organs and you physically that you won’t realize until years later? \n\nOnce you’ve assessed the positive and negative impact the bad habit plays in your life, it’s time to begin an action plan to break the habit.\n\nHere is a Suggested Action Plan for You to Consider\n\n1.\tAffirm Your Conviction\nIf you don’t consider the price you pay for repeating the bad habit worthwhile, then it’s likely you won’t break the habit.\n\nBe honest with yourself and take into account not only how the habit impacts on your life, but also how it impacts those around you.\n\nMake a decisive choice to become a better human being by breaking the repetitive behavior.\n\n2.\tFocus on the Benefits\nMake a list of all the positive changes that will occur once you have broken the bad habit. Include the improved health factors, the opportunity to improve your personal relationships, or the emotional benefits.\n\nRefer to this list every time you believe your resolve is under threat.\n\n3.\tTake Action\nThe time to start your new behavioral pattern is NOW. The right opportunity is NOT going to present itself in a few days or at the start of a new week. \n\nOnce you have resolved to change the bad habit, put your action plan into top gear straight away.\n\n4.\tNo Excuses!\nProvide yourself with a safe haven in which to activate your plan for change. As an example, if you decide to give up smoking, get rid of any leftover cigarette packets, remove ashtrays, lighters, matches or anything else that reminds you of smoking. \n\nBad habits are often triggered by stressful situations, so work on a plan of attack to counter your lowered resistance during times of stress.\n\n5.\tPlot your Progress\nTake note of your daily/weekly/monthly progress in your diary or on a calendar in full view. Nothing is an inspirational as seeing how far you’ve come and what it would cost if you had to begin the process all over again.\n\n6.\tMaintain Motivation\nAfter the initial novelty of making a life altering change begins, boredom can set in. Continually challenge yourself to stay on target, and focus on the good things you will achieve once you’ve broken the back of your bad habit.\n\nIf necessary, practice a daily affirmation like “Every day in every way I am becoming a better person.”\n\n7.\tSet Up a Support Structure\nKeeping your action plan to yourself is a great excuse if you fail. You figure: “Nobody knows about what you I’m aiming to achieve; therefore, nobody will know when I fail.”\n\nTell your friends, colleagues and family a
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I’m the author of many books, including, Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule, Live Life with No Regrets, No Excuses, The Guide to Stopping Procrastination, The Power of Visualization, My Gratitude Journal, the Work Life Balance Emergency Kit, and The Roadmap To Success with Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard, and more.
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Anne Bachrach
The Accountability Coach™
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