Many of us would be greatly surprised to realise just how big a part habit plays in our lives. We are all creatures of habit and much of what we do depends on these to a greater or lesser degree, for often they save us the problem of consistently making decisions. Without habits every thought and action would have to be worked out afresh. This would make life intolerable, and it would be extremely difficult to function efficiently in our daily life. Even simple everyday activities like using a knife and fork, or buttoning up our clothes would have to be re-learned each time. So, we need these good habits, they enable us to live a well-ordered life.

The trouble is alongside our good habits, we are often weighed down with some bad ones as well. Somebody once said ‘habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters’ meaning that the good habits help us up the ladder, while the bad ones do their best to drag us down again.

But there are all sorts of bad habits we can pick up, and unfortunately many of them we can feel quite comfortable with. These range from bad timekeeping to untidiness, to procrastination and nail biting. These in themselves are fairly harmless, but others, such as drug addiction, overeating or smoking are a serious matter for they are actually attacking our bodies, putting our health and our lives at risk. These habits have become so ingrained that they clearly pose a distinct danger not only to our own welfare, but in some cases to others’ as well, so we must accept that it will take a concentrated effort on our part to overcome them.

To change a habit we must face the fact that it exists, and we must be clear in our mind why we want to change it. But it can be done! Consider if you will the advantages of ridding ourselves of these habits. The health benefits alone of doing away with drugs, smoking and stress are enormous – they could save or prolong your life.

So, let’s take a look at how we can rid ourselves of these destructive habits, and substitute positive, constructive behaviours that will help us go forward to a rewarding life

1: First of all you must confront your bad habit, understand it, and decide firmly you are no longer willing to tolerate it. Most of our habits we are already aware of but there are some others we may have without realising it. Ask someone close to you to point out any bad habits, such as fidgeting and scratching, and then do something about it.

2: We must really want to take action. Once you have faced your old habit and firmly decided that you are going to break it then you must make the first move immediately. If it is put off until later for whatever reason then all the good intentions will gradually fade away and the old unwanted habit will have taken an even stronger hold.

3: Replace it with a good habit. This is an important point because nature abhors a vacuum, so you must plug the gap with a new, positive behaviour.

4: Check your new behaviour to see if it is working. Sometimes when we are trying to install the new habit, the old one will sneak quietly back, trying to take over again. Once you are aware of this check yourself immediately, and reinforce the new one with greater vigour. If you think that this is too big a challenge then break it down into smaller, more manageable bites. For example if you want to give up smoking then decide that you will go without a cigarette for one day, then do the same tomorrow, and so on. Doing it this way, bit by bit, it will not appear so daunting.

5: Don’t focus on the bad habits. It is a fact that if you focus too much on the habit you are trying to eradicate it will actually grow in strength and become more entrenched. Thrust the unwanted habit out of your mind and instead concentrate exclusively on the new, empowering habit.

6: Visualise yourself with the new habit. See whatever it was that you aimed for as already achieved. Look into the future and picture yourself with the old habit thrown out, and you interacting confidently and successfully with a group of friends or workmates. It really does work.

7: Be positive in all that you do. This is very important also. If you make any attempt to break a bad habit in a negative frame of mind you will never succeed. Bad habits thrive in a negative environment. Adopting a powerful, positive attitude in everything you do will ensure that success will be yours.

8: Publicise your resolutions. Let those whom you can trust know what you are doing, and why you are doing it. This will strengthen your resolve in the knowledge that if you slip back into the old, bad ways, not only will you know, everyone else will as well. After all, we don’t want these people to believe that we are weak willed.

9: Kick out self-pity. This applies mostly to addictive habits such as drug taking or smoking. You may begin to feel as though the old habit was supporting you, and if you give it up you will be denying yourself something you enjoy. This is when you may have the urge to wallow in self- pity, seeing the future as being empty and devoid of any pleasures.

10: This is a reminder to take immediate action. This applies to everything you do, every move you make. You have come face to face with your bad habits, and resolved that you are going to rid yourself of them, so make that first move straight away. Don’t wait a moment longer! Do it now!

. Finally, we must be constantly on our guard against continuing and reinforcing our bad habits. You must seize every hope, every aspiration, every goal to help you on your way in order that you may claim your rewards. And never be discouraged by the difficulties you will encounter on your journey, for the rewards of success will be well worth the effort you put in. Your future is not in the hands of fate or the stars. Nor is it at the mercy of other peoples’ wishes or opinions. And it does not matter how strong the habits are, or however great the temptations, you must believe that you will always be able to summon up the courage to overcome them.

The footballer with the cup final in mind, and the athlete who has his eyes on the gold medal will train hard to achieve their goals. Both will subject themselves to the most rigorous discipline. Likewise, if we wish to reach the top in our company, or our profession, or if we truly want to break our bad habits and attain the riches that life has to offer then we too must ruthlessly display the same amount of single mindedness.

If you still have any lingering doubts then ask yourself these questions; what will it cost me if I continue with these pernicious habits? Are they preventing me from achieving success? Am I willing to pay the price, risking my health, finances, or whatever. Must I always stay a slave to these habits?

To give you that final boost imagine that wonderful feeling of pride you will have when you tell those around you that through your willpower and self-discipline you have finally defeated the old habits that had plagued you for so long. Your future, your happiness, and your success are entirely in your own hands, and by putting these ten suggestions into practice you could change dramatically the whole pattern of your life, the effects of which would be amazing. Roy Burton.

Author's Bio: 

Jill Lublin is the owner of Promising Promotion, a full service public relations agency located in Bel Marin Keys, California, and the author of the upcoming book, Guerrilla Publicity, part of the best selling Jay Conrad Levinson Guerrilla Marketing series. Her clients are individuals as well as major corporations. She does extensive lecturing and training throughout the United States. She can be reached at (415) 883~5455, email to jill@planetlink.com or at www.promisingpromotion.com