Changing any habit is hard work. For example, consider how hard it is to change eating habits, start exercising, or regulate sleep times. Nearly everyone has attempted and failed at some point in their lives to sustain a change of habit like going to bed earlier or eating healthier foods.
Check out www.marilyngordon.com for her list of ten helpful and practical hints. Here are the two most necessary ingredients to change an old habit or form a new one. First, you must be ready and willing to change. Some call this “hitting bottom,” in other words you are desperate to make a change. Perhaps health issues or relationship issues are the cause for seriously needing to change something. Sometimes not despair but “sick and tired” are enough. For example, I have three pounds to lose to achieve my “perfect” weight and I have spent three months and I’m not there yet! I’m sick and tired of being stuck! I’m now ready to try something new to change my current eating habits.
The other necessary quality is the ability to stay with the change process until the new endeavor morphs into a regular routine. I believe that this second quality is more difficult to summon and sustain than the first. On an optimistic note, I have learned that if you stay with a new action for a month, it then blends into the routine regimen of your life. So you need to commit to one month of a new endeavor and stick to it.
Aside from the willingness to commit to a month of a change, there are a couple other actions that help to sustain a new behavior.
- Choose to think differently about your change process and your old habit. Why are you going through this effort? What personal good do you want to achieve? Keep reminding yourself of the reasons for your effort to change. Write them down.
- Choose to behave differently. Avoid situations and behaviors that would encourage or support the old habit and replace them with situations and behaviors that encourage the new. That could means stocking your cupboards and fridge differently or eating breakfast instead of skipping it.
- Find a buddy to support you during your process and talk regularly.
And I wish you well with your efforts.