11 Tips to Eliminate Bad Habits

Bad habits have a profound effect on your life. But habits can be challenging to change since they aren't based on thoughtful choice, so it's difficult to use logic to change your behavior. They require a multi-facet approach.

If you can't shake your bad habits, try these tips to get you on the road to freedom:

1. Give it a month. In 30 days you can eliminate a bad habit and create a new, positive habit. Do your very best for a month. If you backslide after a month, it's likely that your strategy is lacking.

2. Replace your bad habit. It's almost impossible to just drop it and not replace what you've lost. So think about what your bad habit gives you and find a replacement that provides the same benefit. Replace the benefit or it will be a constant battle.

3. Deal with one challenge at a time. For example, avoid trying to overhaul your diet, exercise, spending, and smoking habits all at once. Pick one; give it a month. Then add another one once you're used to not having the first bad habit.

~ You don't have to be in a hurry. Consider what it would mean if you could just get rid of your 4 worst habits. That's only 4 months away. Comparatively, that's quick, considering that you've probably had them for a long time.

4. Be a scientist. Leave the big emotional struggle for someone else and approach the process like a scientist. Have an attitude of wondering if you can replace the habit. Hypothesize on how it might turn out. Be curious and have a perspective of doing an experiment. There's less drama and bias that way.

5. Remove your triggers. For example, get the junk food out of the house. If you smoke, stay away from the places you always smoke. Avoid the places that tempt you to spend a lot of money. Habits don't have a lot of thought behind them - they're almost like reflexes. Don't put yourself in harm's way.

6. Avoid being too hard on yourself. It might take a couple of tries to get the new habit to stick. Just improve your approach and keep on going.

7. Remind yourself. It's easy to forget to perform your new habit. If you're going to start exercising every day, set up some reminders. If you're going to floss, leave the floss out where you can see it.

8. Tell your friends. Your friends can help you reach your goal. They'll say something if they see you eating a hot fudge sundae or smoking on your lunch breaks. Get all the help you can.

9. Be consistent. If you're going to start exercising regularly, try to do it each day at the same time. This is much easier than trying to exercise 3 times a week. Try to do your replacement habit daily.

10. Remember the pain. Each day, ask yourself what it will mean if you don't stop indulging in your bad habit. Visualize the likely outcome.

11. Focus on the pleasure. Every day, ask yourself what it will mean if you eliminate or replace your bad habit. Visualize the likely outcome of this scenario.

Bad habits really put the brakes on your progress. Use the tips above and give yourself a great opportunity to eliminate your bad habits and replace them with useful habits. There's no better feeling than knowing you have control over your life.


 By Cheryl Felder-Brannon


Article Source: 11 Tips to Eliminate Bad Habits
Previous Post Next Post
  • Stop Body Hate: Seven Mindset Qualities to Love Your Body

    Body hate is a nasty consequence of rising popularity of a fitness lifestyle. As much as fitness is about changing our body in positive ways via exercise and diet, it rarely involves exercising our mind to treat our body right. Even the whole idea of going to the gym often begins with a thought that... Readmore

  • Is Looking Fat Now the Latest Trend?

    Governments throughout the world are concerned about how much of humanity are now large or even obese members of society. Why has this come about? The way of life today has discouraged home cooking and encouraged the establishing of so many fast food outlets. Through this phenomenon it is so easy to... Readmore

  • Vintage Eyewear Advice - 4 Tips for a New Collector of Vintage Fashion

    Vintage eyewear is characterized by the frames that convey the look of fashion from a bygone era. It is an old-school style of frames that consists of Wayfarers and Cat's-Eye frames often characterized by thick rims and double bridges. The celebrities from the 50's and 60's were often seen sporting ... Readmore

  • Retro Round Eyeglasses: An Eyepiece for That Startling Look

    Eyeglasses are an essential part of life for many people. Beyond the benefit of clearer vision lies their ability to compliment your facial features and enhance your overall look. Whether used every day or just as an accessory, a great pair of eyeglasses can make you stand out in the crowd. Though m... Readmore

  • Exercises and Workouts - Complete Your Upper Body Look By Building Your Rear Delts

    When it comes to getting an attractive upper body, one muscle group you cannot afford to forget about is your rear delts. The rear delts are the often overlooked muscle because you cannot "see" them when you are in the gym, but they are a critical muscle to help...keep your shoulder girdle in the pr... Readmore

  • Exercise: The Fun and Healthy Way of Growing Old

    Have you seen a senior citizen doing tai chi looking grouchy and grumpy at the same time?Or crying while he's brisk walking; or bitching about life while tending to his flower garden with tender loving care?I bet not. It would be like putting salt on the icing of a yummy hazelnut chocolate cake.It's... Readmore

  • 9 Switches for Better Nutrition

    1. Dairy Milk for Nut Milk There are so many alternatives to dairy milk today, that these alternatives are as available and accessible as the dairy options. If you switch from whole milk to, for example, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, you will get double the calcium and, depending on the brand, le... Readmore

  • Eating Healthy When Others Don't (or Won't)

    I posted earlier this month about the importance of preparation. With the holidays in full swing, I've been thinking a lot about the second part to success, which is community support and eating healthy when others don't (or won't).Here are some tips to rally support at home (and avoid resistance):T... Readmore

  • Why Organic Beauty Products Are Best For Your Skin

    With the ever-growing number of women desiring to have younger and more beautiful looking skin, it's no wonder how the beauty industry is raking in billions every year. The idea of having flawless looking skin is something that most, if not all women want... but at what price? The average consumer i... Readmore

  • Clothes: Does Someone Need To Wear The Right Colours If They Are Sensitive?

    In today's world, one no longer needs to look the same as other people, and this is partly because there is so much choice when it comes to what they can wear. And, when they want to buy something, they won't need to go out either.Online ShoppingThe only thing that one will need to do is to have a ... Readmore