On breaking bad habits and creating better ones.

Where you are a year from now is a reflection of the decisions you choose to make today!

Habits run our lives! According to researchers, 40% of our daily actions aren’t controlled by conscious decisions, but habits.

What is a habit?

By definition, a habit is a choice that you deliberately make at one point and continue to do without having to think about it day after day. Once we make a habit, we stop making choices and our behavior becomes automatic; and when we understand how it happens, we gain the power of controlling and changing it.

I will not delve deeper into the biology nor psychology of it here, there are plenty of research and data already available on the topic, but as described by Charles Duhigg in his book “The Power of Habit“ every habit is made up of three distinct parts:

1. a ‘cue’ that sets the habit off

2. the ‘routine’ we go through

3. and then the ‘reward’ we get from completing it.

Go through this loop enough times and you’ll form a habit; and you can change your habits as long as you are familiar with how they work.

If you’ve ever tried to break a habit yourself, you know what we’re talking about. It doesn’t just take 21 days of practice like it is commonly said … it requires planning, effort, and willpower.

Let’s have a look at some of the tips and strategies that will help us:

• Identify the habit:

The first step in breaking a habit is identifying what you wish to change, let’s say weight loss or a healthier diet and lifestyle.

Take time to reflect on your habits and behaviors, recognize which ones may be harmful or counterproductive. Consider what triggers the habit and how it impacts your life and the lives of your loved ones, and if your actions are consistent with your values and vision for yourself.

• Set Goals or reframe your goals as positives:

Once you have identified the habit, set goals to modify it. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Frame them in a positive way: I eat healthier, I train/exercise to become stronger…

• Create a plan:

Create a plan for breaking the habit, including specific actions and steps you will take to achieve your goals. This might involve changing your environment, signing up to specific courses, or making commitments to friends and family who will act as your accountability partners.

• Replace/restrict the Habit:

One effective strategy for breaking a habit is to replace it with a new, positive habit. When I decided to improve my health, I started buying healthy snacks instead of my usual ones. By limiting the available options at my disposal at home, I forced myself to eat the fruits instead of sweets or carbs or highly-processed food.

• Track your progress

Tracking your progress can help you stay motivated and committed to breaking the habit. Keep a record of your successes and setbacks, and take note of the strategies that work best for you.

• Be kind to yourself:

Breaking a habit takes time, and it’s essential to be patient and persistent. It’s important to remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process and not a sign of failure. Stay focused on your goals and continue to take positive steps towards breaking the habit, and celebrate the changes, no mater how small they seem, as those are the steps on your journey.

• Share your plans and seek support:

Breaking a habit can be a challenging process, and seeking support from friends, family, or a professional can be helpful.

Also, once we make a public commitment to others, we tend to feel obligated to follow through with it, due to our fundamental drive to feel that we’re consistent in our behaviors and beliefs.

In conclusion, breaking a habit is a challenging process, but with the right strategies and mindset, it can be achieved. And as Max DePree once said:

“We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.”

Let’s get you started on the path towards your best YOU!