Do You Feel Like You Are Just Going Through The Motion Every Day?
Do you have habits that you don't like?
Perhaps overeating when you are stressed? Procrastinating? Perfectionism? Worrying? Overthinking? Complaining all the time? Fear about everything?
Do your habits cause you so much stress?
If your answer is yes, maybe it is time to let go of that habit and replace it with a new one.
But you might say, "Yes, I know. I tried, but it is hard to change a habit."
That is true. Habit is engraved in our unconscious mind. It is our program. It becomes automatic to us that we don't even have to think about it. Our body and mind will just do it.
You want to change your habits because your loved ones are pointing it out to you. They worry that if you do not take the necessary steps, you will be stuck in your current outcome-overweight, depressed, unhappy, no direction and purpose in life, short-tempered, etc. You know they are right because you see it in your life.
So, every New Year, you resolve, but you struggle to keep it. You said I would stop overeating sweets starting January 1, but, on January 2, you went to your friend's house, and on the table lies your favorite pecan pie.
What will you say? I can't resist, I need to have this. Tomorrow, I will try again; then tomorrow doesn't come.
Or perhaps you will say, "I will start exercising on Monday," but that Monday never sees the light.
You always find an excuse not to do what you resolve to do.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the failure rate of New Year's Resolution is about 80%.
Why is it hard to change undesirable habits, and why is it hard to create new habits?
What happens is, our brains and bodies will revolt when we start to change a habit, but unlike revolutionaries, they will NOT shout for CHANGE. They scream STAY in your STATUS QUO! What do you mean, change? We think, feel, and behave this way for a long time, why change?
Your mind wants to keep you in your comfort zone. It loves you and tries to protect you from the possibilities that you will be hurt.
You begin to feel uncomfortable and start to sabotage yourself. Your excitement to start a new habit will begin to dwindle.
Then you make excuses.
Does this sound familiar?
"I love to start with my healthy diet, but my friend wants to buy me a burger, fries, and soda from his favorite fast-food chain, I can't say no. Maybe next time."
"I have so much paperwork to do. I need to start working on this now; otherwise, I will not make it on the deadline. But first, let me update Facebook status, or I will start after watching one episode of my favorite TV Show."
You continue to procrastinate. You experience anxiety and panic attacks when paperwork is due because you are not able to finish them.
Then you start blaming people and events, etc. for not meeting deadlines.
I understand you.
I was a BIG PROCRASTINATOR myself. I tried different tactics to change, but I always go back to my usual old self- Procrastinating.
Procrastination causes me a lot of stress, and I miss a lot of opportunities in life because I procrastinate.
I wanted to end my over procrastination. So, I listen to many motivational speakers that talk about changing habits, and I tried to apply what I learn in my life.
Then, I found the KEY how to stick to the Process of CHANGING my HABITS and develop new habits that lead me closer to my goals.
So, I decided to put together the steps to creating a new habit that motivates me to stay committed to the Change that I want to see in me.
The 5 Steps to Creating a Habit that You can Stay Committed
1. Identify the areas in your life that are challenging for you and identify the DRIVER of your problems.
For example: Maybe you are struggling with finances, your relationships, job. You can write down your specific struggles in these areas and how they affect other aspects of your life. Then, identify the DRIVER.
The driver is the primary cause of your other struggles.
2. Identify the habits that lead you to your Problems.
Habits are the things that we do, think, and feel that are in autopilot.
According to Og Mandino in his book, The Greatest Secret in the World, "The difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits. Good habits are key to all success."
Evaluate your habit and commit that you will change your bad habits.
3. Set a goal and Identify the BIG WHY.Â
Make a decision that you are going to make the necessary changes to make your life better. Set a goal, and then, identify your BIG WHY—the big reason you want to change.
Many motivational speakers mentioned the importance of your Big Why to push you to the finish line.
Your Big Why can be your spouse, your children, your parents, your health, your vision for the future, etc.
4. Identify a particular habit that you want to establish that will lead you closer to your goal. Then, identify the obstacles and your plan of action on overcoming the barriers.
Only a habit can push away another habit. You can change bad habits by creating good habits.
Once you identify the new habit that you want to do, imagine possible obstacles that you will encounter along the way.
For example, you want to change the habit of drinking soda, identify scenarios that will tempt you to drink sodas. Then, plan what you will do when you are in the situation.
Sometimes, this will require you to ditch the aisle in the grocery stores where they place soda.
5. Visualize Yourself to Success and affirm yourself
Visualization is one powerful way to communicate with your unconscious mind. Our conscious mind is the one that sets the goal, but your unconscious mind is the goal-getter. Get your unconscious mind to collaborate with you to get to where you want to be faster.
I also like to visualize the worst case that will happen if I do not change my undesirable habit.
I believe that my mind loves me so much and wants to protect me.
In my experience, if I visualize myself in the worst condition because of a particular habit, I immediately feel it in my body. Then, it will start to reject the things that I visualize that will have a detrimental effect on me.
For example, when I decided to stop drinking soda and other sugary drinks, I imagine myself having diseases caused by too much sugar. Then, the next time I drink soda, I feel my system rejecting it. It stops my craving with soda.
Affirming yourself already achieved your goal is also a powerful way to make a habit stick.
In this blog, we learn why it is hard to change a habit and what we can do to replace undesirable habits with new good habits, so we easily achieved our desired outcome in life. We also learn the 5-easy steps to create new habits that stick.
Overcome your excuses and Get Ready to a Better You!
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