We all have habits, some good and some not very good. These are behaviors that we have learned and it happens almost automatically. And most of us have a habit that we want to develop.
For most people, it takes about four weeks for the new behavior to become a routine. The following steps may make it easier to establish a new type of behavior.
1. The first step is to set your goals. Especially when you are trying to stop or break a habit, you should try to refer to your goal as a positive statement. For example, instead of saying "I'll give up snacking at night", say, "I'll make healthy eating habits." You should also write down your goal. It helps you make commitments on paper. If you share your goals with someone you trust, it can help.
2. Decide on replacement behavior. (If your goal is to develop a new habit, your replacement behavior will be the goal itself)) This step is extremely important when you are trying to break a habit. If you want to stop a behavior, you must have an optimal behavior to keep it in place. If you don't, the old way of behaving can come back
3. Learn about your triggers and be aware. Types of behavior do not exist independently. Often a habit involves another part of your regular routine. For example, in the case of snacking, the trigger may be the television at night. You automatically grab a bag of chips when you visit. Many people who smoke are automatically enlightened after eating. Think about when and why you want to give up.
4. Post a reminder to yourself. You can do this yourself by keeping notes of where the behavior usually occurs. Or you can put the message in the mirror, fridge, computer monitor or any other place where you will see it regularly. Your family member can use a specific phrase to remind you of your goal.
5. Get help and support from someone. It's kind of obvious. Any task is easy with the help of help. It works even better if you can share the same goal with someone.
Daily. Write daily affirmations. Write your phrase or sentence in the present tense (as if it were already happening), and write it ten times for twenty-one days. This process helps you turn your goal into a part of your subconscious, which will not only remind you to practice new behaviors, but it also keeps you focused and motivated.
Set. Reward yourself for making progress in the allotted time. Concentrate on your goal one day at a time, but give yourself a little treat in one, three and six months. The rewards don't have to be big or expensive and you should try to associate it with the goal. Doing this gives you both encouragement and extra motivation.
Following these steps is certainly not a guarantee of success. Depending on the habit it may take several attempts to finally bring about the change. But if you are stuck with it, you can do it. Good luck____
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