Getting ourselves to stop doing things we don’t want to do might just be the genesis of most personal development books. Is it the subconscious mind or self-sabotage or mindset that prevents us from moving forward when we think we DO actually want to move forward?
Listen, I’m not here to break down deep-seated roots of psychological barriers. Not today, at least.
Rather, by answering a series of questions, let’s take on the subject of how to stop bad habits from a new approach.
What’s one simple habit you’re engaging in that’s not helpful to you?
Just pick one — right now — that would make a meaningful difference in your life by eliminating it. And be very specific.
What are the props around this habit? Like:
- What time of day is it?
- Where are you when this happens?
- What do you think, see or feel?
What is the physical thing that might be a prompt for your behavior?
Might it be the phone on your nightstand teasing you to scroll social media before sleep?
What prompt, if it were removed, would likely help you to all but stop the habit?
Maybe it’s your home life uniform, as I call it. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. Your hair goes up in a messy bun, makeup washed off, and you’ve got on your favorite 22 year old sweatshirt. In this scenario, I’m not telling you NOT to get into your jammers and such… perhaps, though, you should reconsider WHEN you do it.
Now, brainstorm a list of all the realistic ways to make it much harder for this habit to occur.
When you stop doing thing(s) you don’t want to do, it’s going to make you feel so much better and allow room for some really healthy, happy, positive habits.
This blog was inspired by BJ Fogg and his book, Tiny Habits. If you’d like to hear me go into far more detail on his methodology and, also, reveal personal anecdotes for each of the big questions above (which, I promise, will be so helpful), then you must check out The Chalene Show podcast below:
And don’t forget to subscribe to TCS for weekly episode dedicated to your overall wellbeing, from health to mindset to relationships to fitness to personal development!
