We all have habits, some OK and some not so OK. These are behaviors that we've learned and that happen almost automatically. And most of us have a habit, we'd like to get rid of, or one we'd like to develop.
For most of us, it takes about 4 weeks for a new behavior, to become routine, or habit. The following steps can make it simpler, to develop a new behavior style.
1. The first step is to set your aim. Particularly when you are trying to stop or get rid of a habit, you should try to articulate your aim, as a positive statement. For example, instead of saying "I will stopsnacking at night", say "I will try healthy eating habits". You should also write down your aim. Writing it down on paper, helps you to commit. It can also help, if you tell your aim, to somebody you can trust.
2. Decide on an alternate behavior. (If your aim is to create a new habit, then your alternate behavior, will be the aim itself.) This step is crucial, when you are trying to get rid of a bad habit. If you want to stop a behavior, you must have a higher ranking behavior, to replace it. If you don't, the previous behavior style, will return.
3. Learn and be focused on your Activators. Behavior styles, don't exist independently. Usually, one habit is linked with another part, of your normal routine. For instance, in the snacking example, the Activator may be, late night television or reading. You automatically snatch a bag of chips while you watch. Many people who smoke automatically, light up after eating. Focus on when and why, you do the thing, you want to stop.
4. Send reminders to yourself. You can do this by leaving yourself notes, in the areas, where the behavior normally, happens. Or you can leave yourself a message on the mirror, refrigerator, door, computer screen or some other area, where you will see it often. You can also have a family member or a work colleague, use a specific phrase, to remind you of your aim.
5. Get help and support from somebody. This is kind of obvious. Any task is simpler, with help. It works even better, if you can gain a partnership, with somebody, who shares the same aim.
6. Write daily affirmations. Write your phrase or sentence in the present tense (as if it were already happening), and write it down, ten times a day, for twenty-one days. This method helps make your aim, a part of your subconscious, which will not only remind you to practice the new behavior, but it also keeps you aware and motivated.
7. Reward yourself, for making gains, at set time intervals. Concentrate on your aim, one day at a time, but give yourself a small treat at one, three and six months. The rewards don't have to be big or cost much, and you should try to make it something, that's linked in some way, with the aim. Doing this provides you with both incentive and more motivation.
Following these steps, is no certainty of success, of course. Depending on the habit, it may take many attempts, to finally make the change. But if you persist, you can do it. Go for it, enjoy a good habit :-) Good Luck!
Author Resource:
I have useful skills in web development and at the moment, particularly interested in ebook membership website management. Please visit ebooks4mobile.com for more details, FREE signup available. Have a good Read and stay in the Lead, cheers Don DocRabbit(FoEARR) :-) Publishing of my articles allowed, but please include my website url, for a backlink.
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