As I continue to share effective strategies for making positive changes in our lives: #3 of the strategies is swapping bad habits for healthier alternatives.
Breaking a bad habit can be challenging, but one successful approach is to identify a healthier behavior to replace it. I explore this in detail with my clients. What feels like the basics can be realized as “ah ha!” moments when my clients are empowered to consider alternative solutions to their current habits and/or “cravings.” This method helps us move away from detrimental habits while simultaneously fostering the development of positive ones.
Here's how to implement this strategy:
Identify the Bad Habit: Recognize the habit you want to change and acknowledge its impact on your life. DONE (We did this back in January. YAY!)
Find a Healthy Replacement: Choose a healthier behavior that you can engage in instead. For instance, if you tend to reach for a sugary snack when you're stressed, replace it with a healthy option like fresh fruit, dried fruit or engage in a stress-relief activity such as a short walk or deep breathing exercises. I get excited when I explore alternative solutions/possibilities because I get to try new things and be creative! I call that fun because it’s through exploration that we find out what works for us. What we like because we get to choose!
Make the Swap: Start incorporating the healthier alternative into your routine whenever you feel the urge to indulge in the bad habit. Be consistent and remind yourself of the benefits this change will bring. Remember your why-power? Is it big enough? Yes? Okay then, you’ve got this! I have all the confidence in the world that you do. If it’s not big enough, then I encourage you to reevaluate it now so you can make adjustments and reset. Yes, you always get to hit the reset button.
Stay Motivated: Keep track of your progress and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Staying motivated can help you make the change permanent. I’ll just add that this is sooo true. You will look up one day and say/think Wow! I don’t do/crave X anymore. Instead, I do/get to enjoy Y. It’s like it just “happens” and it does…over time. It’s a matter of when you notice (that look back is powerful when you track your progress to see just how far you’ve come). If you just stay locked in (focused) and motivated, the changes leading to transformation will just come. This is what has happened to me and it will happen to you when you are consistent.
Remember, transforming bad habits into positive ones takes time and effort, but with persistence and the right mindset, you can achieve lasting change.
If anything resonated with you or you have blog topic recommendations, I welcome you to leave a comment below or reach out to me for a free consultation to get help in an area of your life or a change/transformation you want to begin this year! Also please share this blog!
Until next time...stay locked in and keep blazing!
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