12: Eliminating Bad Habits

Episode Overview:

In this shorty episode I am talking about habits…but not the good kind. I am talking about bad habits because I think just as it is important to understand how to form positive, success habits, it is also important to understand why bad habits occur, why they can be challenging to change, and what is happening with your brain when you keep saying you want to stop doing something…but you don’t. I also provide a 4 step process you can use to help you eliminate bad habits. If you also want information on creating success habits, be sur to check out Episode 11: Building Success Habits when you are done with this one.

What I Cover:

• Whether it is overspending, overdrinking, over scrolling, over eating, procrastination, being late, not following through with what you say you are going to do, negative self-talk, sabotaging relationships, biting your nails, or not picking up after yourself, the reason you are doing these things, even though you say you don't want to, is the same.

• Bad habits are reinforced and hard to change because they are being rewarded and reinforced in some way.

• Specific examples of how bad habits are reinforced and what actions can help you change them.

Let's Take Some Action:

• What is the bad habit you want to change? Be specific. 

• Next, Why do you consider this a bad habit? Even if you think this an obvious answer, write it out and be specific about the reasons you consider this a bad habit.

• Then, consider how this habit has been reinforced? What are the rewards, the pros, or the benefits of engaging in this habit? If you are 100% clear on how this habit is serving you, or how the emotional side of your brain thinks this habit is serving you, it becomes much easier to change it, or eliminate it.

• Once you know how the habit is being reinforced, you have a couple of choices:
  • You can decide that you will tolerate the discomfort of not engaging in the habit for a period of time until it is no longer a habit. 
  • You can replace it with something that you consider to be more positive. 

Useful Resources:

Do you worry too much, overthink, assume the worst-case scenarios, spend a lot of time focusing on negative things that have happened, or discredit positive things happening? If so, you are dealing with the human brain we have all been given and you are not alone.

The good news is, you can change this and it may not take as long as you may think! If you want a free resource that will help you examine your thinking patterns, and change those that are not serving you, grab my 5 Common Thought Distortions Guide HERE.

Let’s stay in touch:

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