If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got!
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A well-known phrase, but…changing habits from ones that keep you stagnant to ones that will improve you, requires a systematic approach, as habits are deeply ingrained behaviours. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help YOU shift your habits for the better.
Identify Your Current Habits. Reflect on your daily routines and behaviours. Identify habits that don’t contribute to your growth and development, productivity etc. Acknowledge triggers that lead to those habits. What situations, emotions, or people trigger these behaviours?
Define Your Desired Outcomes. Set clear goals. What do you want to achieve by changing your habits? Better standards, increased productivity, personal growth? Visualise the new habit and its benefits. What would your life look like with these new, improved habits? This helps create motivation.
Start with small with Incremental Changes. Focus on one habit at a time. Trying to change too much at once can lead to burnout, and failure. Pick one area to improve and start small. Use the “1% rule.” Aim for small, 1% improvements each day. This will compound into significant progress over time.
Replace, Don’t Eliminate. Swap bad habits for good ones. Instead of just cutting out a bad habit, replace it with a better alternative.
Leverage the Habit Loop. Understand the habit loop: cue, routine, reward.
Cue: Is the trigger for your habit/ Routine: Is the habit itself /Reward: Is the benefit you get. Modify the routine. Keep the same cue and reward but change the behaviour.
Use Positive Reinforcement. Reward yourself for sticking to your new habits. Choose rewards that are positive and support your growth. Track your progress, using a habit tracker or journal to see how far you’ve come, which can be motivating.
Create a Supportive Environment. Remove temptations that lead to old habits. For instance, if you’re trying to eat healthier, keep junk food out of the house. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your new habits. This could be friends, family, workmates, or even joining groups focused on similar goals.
Use Accountability. Find an accountability partner who can check in with you and hold you responsible for your progress. Share your goals publicly (even on social media), so you feel more committed to achieving them.
Be Patient and Consistent. Understand that change takes time. Habits don’t change overnight, and setbacks can be normal. Focus on consistency rather than perfection.
Review your progress regularly. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Make adjustments as needed. Celebrate successes. Recognize the small wins along the way to stay motivated.
“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Roy T. Bennett