4 Powerful Steps to Breaking Bad Habits
Habits are pretty much who you are.
Are you a positive thinker? Are you ambitious? Do you work hard? Are
you a compulsive cleaner? Do you procrastinate? Do you fear jumping in?
Some of the items above are traits, but they are also habits created –
they reflect your actions and reactions. They are part of the things
you do each and every day, consciously or subconsciously.
Have a habit you don’t like? Or, one that is getting in the way of your writing success?
Well, you’re in luck.
According to WebMD, you can break bad habits in three easy steps.
1. Analyze the habit you’d like (need) to break.
Maybe, you spend too much time on social media, even if it’s to work
it. If you’re not getting the ROI on your efforts, you need to change
things.
Maybe, you don’t get enough writing in.
That story that’s been on the back burner is still there. You keep
saying you’re going to get to it, but you keep procrastinating.
Or, maybe you need to write two articles a week for your blog, but
barely manage to write one. Not for a real lack of time, more because
you’re not prioritizing your work.
Maybe, you’re not using video as much as you should in your content marketing, simply because it’s easier not to.
Figure out what it is – put it in front of you. This strategy may help you change things for the better.
2. Write it down.
Actually writing things down adds another element or layer to the consciousness of the habit.
Psychologist James Claiborn, PhD, and the co-author of The Habit
Change Workbook, explains, “Write out a list of the pros and cons of
this behavior and keep a record of when you do it. Measurement of
anything tends to change it and makes people much more aware in the
first place.” (1)
This is similar to number 1, in that it allows you to analyze the habit.
3. Put a temp in.
Once you realize the’ whens and whys’ of a habit you want to break, try substituting another action in its place.
Suppose you drink two cans of soda day. Substitute one of the cans
for a cup of water or naturally flavored seltzer. Once that’s working
well, substitute the other can of soda with something healthier.
And, please, don't forget to comment and share!
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