Our life is greatly influenced by habits - established patterns of behavior. It is impossible to change your life for the better without changing your habits. Old actions lead to old results. If you have been trying to change your life for a long time, but nothing changes, then this article is for you.
You've probably wondered more than once why it is so difficult to change habits. For example, why is it so difficult to get rid of parasitic words, or the habit of rubbing your nose while talking? Or go into the fridge for a chocolate bar in anxiety?
You may have even tried many times, but nothing worked. It means that you either did not decide to firmly change your habits, or you are satisfied with the way life is. But more often, you must admit, you simply gave up, because it did not work out once, twice …. And why?
The secret is pretty simple. The wrong approach is failing you. What does it mean?
Usually a person, when he is unable to change a habit, blames the blame on lack of willpower or on "Monday syndrome" (the boss overwhelmed with work). And sometimes he simply sets the bar too high (for example, to lose 30 kg in a month: if you really change your life, then immediately). But willpower has nothing to do with it. Yes, you can hold out on willpower for a while. And if you manage to withstand from 3 to 5 weeks, you may get the desired result. But often there is not enough determination for such a time. The brain is overwhelmed by the sheer number of new tasks. He just doesn't have time to keep track of everything! And everything returns to normal …
To get rid of an unwanted habit, you need to change your approach.
- First, learn to recognize signals. For example, think about what emotions trigger the urge to smoke? Or what thoughts make you go to the fridge for sweets? Awareness is important!
- Secondly, replace the unwanted habit with a healthy one (instead of going for sweets to drink water). But when looking for a replacement, it is important to consider the issue of remuneration. The remuneration must be specific. Must be here now! Typically, it is either pleasure or pain avoidance. Often, when you reach for sweets, you get pleasure, joy as a result, but sometimes the pain dulls. The replacement should provide the same sensations and opportunities as the old habit. For example, try replacing your sweet night habit with a pleasant shower of chocolate or other scented gels. And remember, the reward should be instant! Otherwise, nothing will work.
In order for you to get rid of an unwanted habit successfully, you can use the following techniques.
- Look for intrinsic motivation. For example, if you want to lose weight in order to please someone, then it is unlikely that anything will come of it. But if you internally realize that your body is feeling much better after losing weight, you will most likely not stop.
- Introduce one daily habit at a time. Change your life little by little.
- Notice and praise yourself for small changes. If you solve a global problem at once, you will get stress, dissatisfaction. Small changes quickly become the norm. Notice them.
- Do the actions of the new habit at the same time.
- Share your intentions with your friends. This will create responsibility.
- Find someone to support and test you. He will say in time: "Hold on! You will succeed!" Or create a "support circle" - invite friends or family to join.
- Enjoy the changes. Drive your panic away! A new habit should give you a reward - happiness, joy, pleasure. Remember, your mind will always have a negative dialogue with you. Don't fall for negative emotions!
- And be grateful for every step you take. You will be wrong anyway. Let yourself be wrong! But, most importantly, get up and move on!
