How to form a good habit

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    • #269954
      faxonfive

      Bad habits are easy to make, but extremely hard to end. Good habits, on the other hand, tend to take more time to make. Luckily, scientists agree that the average person needs at least 2 weeks to form a good habit.

      1 – Know what you want. If you can perfectly visualize the habit in your head, the work will be easier.

      2 – Make a list of the benefits of your new habit. For example, if I quit smoking, I am likely to become healthier. Make a seperate list of the costs, i.e., people not view me as “cool.”

      Try to debunk the costs, i.e. if people really like me, they will find it as a benefit.

      3 – Commit to the habit. If you want to change, you have to work at it. Do not quit if you have one failure.

      And don’t blame yourself for the failure either. It’s usually not your fault.

      4 – Set your own goals, and reward yourself. Write the goals down, and post them all around. In your kitchen, bedroom, office, even the bathroom if necessary.

      Once you’ve met those goals, treat yourself to a movie or a pizza. As long as the treat isn’t anything you’re trying to quit.

      5 – Start slowly. If you want to become stronger or faster, choose short exercises at first. Then, make them larger, in order to adapt to the habit.

      6 – Go for consistency rather than performance. For example, if your goal is to do daily push ups, it’s better to start by doing one push up every day for a month than by doing 20 push ups for two days and then giving up. After you have done one pushup consistently for a number of days, you have formed the habit.

      Now increase the number of push ups gradually from there, all the while striving to do some number of push ups EVERY day.

      7 – Consult a friend. It’s what they’re there for. To comfort and help you in times of need.

      Ask them to keep track of your accomplishments, or act as a therapist if something goes wrong. It’s alright to do this. They should be happy to.

      8 – Even after your goals are set, don’t continue to smoke, take drugs, or stop exercising. You need to make this a lifetime thing if you’re serious about it, and you can’t stop after just 2 weeks.

      9 – It can be tough to muster up the motivation you need to change your lifestyle. Pick up a good habit like exercising or drop an unhealthy one like quitting smoking. Using each Monday to recommit if you fall off track; that way, you have 52 chances to get motivated to make a change in your life.

      **If you’re trying to start a good habit, then you probably had a bad habit to begin with. If so, empty your house and work space of the thing you’re trying to quit, or any item that may make you want to end the habit-making process. If you want to quit smoking, get rid of cigarettes.

      If you want to eat healthier, get rid of most unhealthy foods in you pantry, and etc. ***

      :041:

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    • #412620
      naturalmommy

      some food for thought that can be used across the board. Thanks for posting this!

    • #412641
      tsgal

      Some great tips here Lynn. I just wanted to add to this, something I always tell my kids. You have a choice to change.

    • #412704
      faxonfive

      Yes I agree Tonia~!! We have the choice!!! 🙂

    • #412804
      jaime

      Thanks for the post Lynn!!! I quit smoking on Sunday and have only slipped one time. I can’t wait to get my reward at the end of the week (the biggest most deadliest starbuck has to offer LOL) I think we could use these tips for so many things.

    • #412808
      faxonfive

      You go girl!!! I LOVE starbucks!!!

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