Over the course of your lives, we all develop certain routines by which we live every day. There are certain things we like to do, certain things we have to do. Apart from these, there are certain things which we do whether we like doing them or not because they become an involuntary part of our lives.
These are what we call habits. They can be good like writing, painting, working out or reading, but they can also be bad like smoking, alcoholism, unhealthy snacking etc.
The irony which constructs here is that most people are aware of their bad habits and admit to wanting to quit them but do not know how so, they go on doing the unhealthy stuff and end up facing dire consequences. Well there are simple ways in which you can give up these not so good desires.
Here are 8 ways to break free from bad habits.
1) Make a plan… today!
Making a plan always helps. What you need to do is devise a strategy to quit a bad habit such as smoking at mention a deadline by which you have to achieve it. Keep this plan on paper and keep it somewhere from where it can constantly remind you of your goals. Like a dashboard across your bed so that you see it the first thing in the morning and remember your targets all day.
All major success is planned, so why not use it for own little successes.
2) Be aware, admit and do not ignore
The most important thing is that you realise and admit your problems. The more you ignore it, the more severe it will get.
Wise men have said that when you understand the problem, it’s half solved. This is the concept here. The more you admit that a habit of yours is bad, the more psychologically capable you will be to quit it.
3) Keep telling yourself the truth
You can be a fake to the entire world but never be one to yourself. Instead of telling yourself that you have time and you will plan on improving your habits tomorrow you should do the opposite and firmly make yourself realize that what you are doing is bad.
This helps your mind to reject your bad habits and move closer to achieving your goals.
4) Replace bad habits with good ones
“The only proper way to eliminate bad habits is to replace them with good ones” Jerome Hines
This is the most major and the most effective step you must take. For instance, you must have seen people trying to quit smoking by popping a gum when they get the urge to smoke. This is effective in the long term.
Replace bad habits with good ones like reading, watching short films or penning your thoughts. Soon your good habits will overlap the needs to indulge in the bad ones.
5) Be a self-critic
The best way to train your brain to stop doing something is to criticise yourself doing that thing.
The more you do that, the more your brain understands the fact that reprogramming needs to be done. Soon, the need will transform into hate and gradually you will succeed in eliminating the bad patterns.
6) Use Second Party Denial
What are our loved ones for albeit help and support. Turn to your spouse or your best friend and ask them for help. Give them control of your bad habits.
This way whenever you feel the urge to drink let’s say, you will need the minibar’s keys from your partner who will deny that. You will get irritated at first but soon it will start to work.
Gradually, due to constant denial, your body will adapt to the changes and you will lose the habit.
7) Positive Reinforcement
This means to award you on achieving targets. This makes you more prune to follow your plans in return for the reward at the end of each milestone.
When you go for a week without a bad habit, give yourself a treat like a good meal or a good movie. Then set a bigger target and a better reward. This will keep you motivated.
8) Document your progress
A very good way to keep yourself motivated is to track your progress. This gives you an exact idea of how far you have come in your endeavours. So keep a chart or a badge which mentions the days you have lived without the bad habit and feel proud of it.
“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” Benjamin Franklin
Good habits make you more creative, productive and happier whereas bad habits only provide a psychological satisfaction. Hence, it is quintessential that you take initiative, follow some steps like above and move towards a more positive, happy, healthy and fulfilling life.
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