Do you have a bad habit you want to break, whether it’s professional or personal? Four out of 10 Americans think it would take a near-death experience to get them to break a bad habit. You don’t have to let that be the case.
You make resolutions each year like:
- Lose 30 pounds
- Add $10,000 a month to your business bottom line
- Stop procrastinating
- Getting things done
- Being on time
- Work out each day
But by the end of the third week, you realize that they’re all broken.
This is the year you can break those bad habits. Here are some ways to get rid of bad habits for a better year.
Ways to rid those bad habits
Finding the root Cause
What causes bad habits? Simply put, boredom and stress.
Bad habits are a way to deal with either your boredom or stress
You can teach yourself new habits that are more beneficial for your business or your health to replace these bad habits. One of the easiest ways to get rid of a bad habit is to replace it with something more beneficial.
You need to be honest with yourself to see if this stress or boredom is caused by something even deeper. Do you not believe in yourself? Is there a fear?
Make a list of why you want to stop
You may know some reasons to give up your bad habits, such as improving your health, your bank account, your business’ bottom line, employee morale, or anything else. If all your decisions were logical, you would never give into a bad habit or craving. Around 80% of decisions Americans make are based on emotions and not logic.
When you give into a bad habit, it’s because your emotions make that decision
It is a temporary satisfaction. One way to help yourself be more logical is to write down all the reasons you shouldn’t do this habit.
Write down how you would feel if you didn’t do it. When you are tempted to give in to your bad habit, reach for your list. You can balance out your emotions with logic.
A craving typically goes away after a few minutes. You can take that time to read your list to help you during this temptation time.
Find a substitute for your bad habits
Your habits are there for a reason. Even if you have bad habits, you find a benefit in them, such as relieving stress or boredom as we mentioned above. A habit can also be a biological solver like drugs or smoking.
Because you find some benefit in these habits, it’s hard to just stop them
You need to replace this habit with something that gives you a similar benefit. For example, if you smoke, you should come up with another way to deal with stress like exercise, perhaps working out with weights or going for a run.
If you try to just quit a bad habit, it’s nearly impossible. Try to find something to help you satisfy this need instead. It will take some time to get used to your new habit, but ultimately, your body and mind will replace the undesired craving for the new one.
Accountability
Join forces with someone else that is trying to quit a habit. You can hold each other accountable. Make sure you also celebrate victories together; it’s a great motivator for you both.
Knowing you are not alone and knowing you are being held accountable by someone else is a powerful way to promote change. A health coach might be good for some of your health goals/habits and maybe a business coach can help with your productivity as a business or an employee. Check out our one-to-one or small group coaching programs.
Start small
Establishing a new habit will take some time and a lot of effort. Be patient with yourself and don’t make dramatic adjustments at first or else you set yourself up for failure.
For example, if you are changing your diet, start with something small like putting less sugar in your coffee or snacking on vegetables.
One little change can inspire others and help you get the ball rolling.
Plan for failure
It’s easy to slip up, and you must be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up over a tiny mistake. Know that it is going to happen.
Find some strategies to help you bounce back when you make a mistake. You are not a bad person, and your goal is still attainable even if you mess up slightly.
Create obstacles
One way to get rid of bad habits is to make them hard to get to. Don’t make it easy to backslide, otherwise those bad habits will be right there ready to pounce on you.
Depending on what you want to stop, you need to find a way to make it hard to continue the habit.
For example, if you want to stop spending so much, remove your credit card information from your computer. Hide all your sugar treats or don’t buy them if you want to stop eating sweets.
Set limits for yourself. You can use an app to set a timer if you are trying to limit wasting time on the Internet or social media. If your habits are not easily accessible, you may move on more quickly because they’re not worth the trouble.
See yourself succeed
If you are trying to be healthier, visualize a skinnier you. Picture yourself less stressed.
IMPORTANT: Whatever habit you are trying to break, imagine yourself enjoying your success.
This will help you build your new identity and see this goal as attainable. Take time every day to focus on a positive outcome for motivation.
Be your own coach
Try motivating yourself with pep talks. Take a video of yourself on your phone. Review your list of why you want to quit.
Take a few minutes every day to do something to motivate quitting this habit. You know yourself best, so you don’t have to worry about what others think – do what works for you.
Final thoughts on bad habits
Follow these tips and you have the power to break your bad habits. Make sure you set your goals and find your triggers. Find a replacement for your bad habit.
You can change your bad habits in your professional life and your personal life. Be kind to yourself and be patient.
Bad habits are not just personal
Success limiting bad habits don’t only plague individuals. Be resolute and refuse to allow the same old problems and frustrations to hold back your business success and vision again this year. We are experienced business and life coaches who help people eliminate frustrations and enjoy coming to work every day like it was Day One, it’s what we do. Contact us at (281) 217-4951 and let’s set up a time to talk to see if we can help you with your goals and habits.
