Changing Habits: 5 Steps to Success

It’s that time of year again, the New Year Resolutions, the fresh start, whatever you want to call it. Time to review your life and where you are headed, and change a habit or two to ensure your new goals are met.

Here are 5 steps to help you succeed:

1. If you want to stop that or start this, firstly identify the habit creating what you don’t want. What specifically are you doing regularly (a habit) that results in the weight, money, relationship or business issue?
2. What are the benefits of doing that habit?  Even seemingly negative habits have benefits, otherwise you wouldn’t do it.  For example, relaxation, comfort, control, punishment (you or others), protection or identity (proves you are who you think you are)?
3. Decide on your new habit, ensuring it gives you the same benefits and more.  You can’t stop doing a habit without replacing it.  E.g. Instead of pouring a glass of wine and sitting down in front of the TV when you get home, what will you do instead?  Replace the alcohol? Replace the TV? Replace the sitting down?  Replace going straight home after work?  Remember the right small modification can have bigger impact than a large change, if it is easier to sustain.
4.  Believe in yourself and your ability to change. Notice how many changes you’ve made in your life since leaving the womb!    Be your own best friend, and talk yourself into success.
5. Commit to starting your new habit today, and following through every day for the next 28 days.  After that, if you wish to change back it’s your choice, but usually in that time your new habit is formed and cemented.  If it’s not, then either the true benefits haven’t been replaced, or you’ve chosen a new habit which is difficult to sustain due to practical reasons, so revise and restart.

Remember, the only person you can change is yourself, but in changing yourself there is a ripple on effect to those in your life.  You can learn how to step into your personal power and control your thoughts, emotions, actions, your role in relationships, and the meaning you give to events in your life.   The rest of your life starts right now, not tomorrow, so take steps to enjoy it now.

To find out how my 3 Step Let Go And Grow coaching program can help you gain the absolute clarity, authentic confidence and inspired motivation to change, contact me, and/or book in for your 1 hour Success Map session.

Sue Lester, Catalyst of Change, and Head Transition Coach at Growing Content.