2 Tips To Break Habits

If you have a habit that you desperately want gone, read this article to get two great but simple tips that will allow you to reclaim your freedom from habits. You want this habit overcome because it hurts the quality of your life, yet it hangs on. Every Sunday night you resolve, next week I will overcome this! But by the next afternoon, resolve has lost and it is back.

You hold down a demanding job, or shine in school. You might be a champion bowler, or expertly mother kids, and nevertheless, this one thing runs you like a dog on a leash. You fear you will never be in full ownership of your life. And you may feel turmoil and ponder...what the heck's my problem? By the time you finish this article you will have an extra tool to help you manage your habit.

I know this well, because I used to suffer from persistent lateness. It caused serious problems: conflict on the job, disappointed friends, and problems in school. I just never got where I was supposed to be on time. When my best friend told me once she lied about when we were supposed to meet, I knew something had to be done. There is a remedy, found in two down-to-earth tricks.

First Habit Busting Tip -
Use your power of clear thinking to look at the habit square on. Get yourself a small journal and sit quietly. Make two columns. One says, Reward. The other, Cost. Time to be honest!

Start with the Reward column. Think back. When did the habit start? What was going on in your life at the time? How did the habit help? And likely it did, in some way, ease a situation. Zero in on what is going on now when the habit starts. Is the trigger the same? What is the payoff? It is liberating to shine a light on this hidden place in our psyche.

Now, to the Cost column. List the miseries from the habit. Embarrassment? Loss of self respect? The respect of others? Time wasted, or money? Health effects? Your achievements? Your relationships?

You likely see that costs outweigh benefits. You've got a fresh perspective now, and can start to come up with solutions. Begin keeping a dated record of when the habit occurs, and what triggers it. You will become more aware of your triggers.

Second Habit Busting Tip -
New journal page. New Habits to Replace the Old.

What can you encourage to short circuit the undesired habit, that addresses the trigger? Have a cup of coffee? Walk around the block? Brush your cat? Practice singing? Embrace your kid? Call a friend? Chew a piece of gum? Floss your teeth? You will realize what a positive, life-affirming alternate habit is.

Alert your friends and family to support you. When you can avoid triggers. And if you think you can't make it through unaided, search for help, such as a minister, group, counselor, or physician. Above all, be gentle and humane to yourself and go slowly.

By: Carolyn Elizabeth Blake

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