New Habits Don't HAVE to Be Hard to Make

Last night I spoke at a fund raiser/health and wellness event. We raised money for the Spirit in Action New Orleans Schools Rethink project. It was a great event.

My topic was 'Habits are Hard to Break, so instead try adopting a few new good habits instead'. I have a lot of fun with this topic. It is really about personal change and creating expectations that are realistic and doable.

Have you ever done that thing...made an expectation for yourself that is so out of reach that all you can do is give up in the end? I know what that is like. Giving up on a goal doesn't feel good at all. I tend to feel disappointed and embarrassed at the failure. I might come up with really good reasons why it happened but the hurt is still there.

When it comes to adding new good habits, we can expect it to be a bit of work. Unlike a habit already formed in which we do without thinking about it, a new habit is not yet 'habit'. It is a new behavior first and requires A LOT OF THINKING. The bigger the expectation of change or new behavior, the MORE THINKING IT REQUIRES. This can be very fatiguing. What happens to you when you get over-tired? You might just take a break, stop what you are doing, give up. Don't let this happen to you. There is an easier way...

Tips for taking on a new good habit:

1. Have a good reason for making a change - motivator
2. Know what you want to accomplish
3. Break that goal down into tiny steps that are doable
4. Be patient - follow the 21/180 rule (21 days to turn the behavior into a potential habit, 180 days to integrate into a habit)
5. Celebrate every success no matter how small and ignore slips and falls

• Instead of going from couch potato to body builder, try couch potato to 3 brisk walks a day with someone you enjoy being with
• Instead of going from chocoholic to 'no snacks between meals', try chocoholic to six fruits and veggies per day

Small steps create new behaviors which create new good habits.

I have spent years trying to lose weight and get in shape. I just couldn't stick with the 'total makeover' all or nothing approaches. This time I am trying the small steps to new good habits approach. I eat protien for breakfast. I will keep doing this new behavior until it comes easy, natural as waking up each day. Doing the same with adding fun, healthy snacks like trail mix and sliced oranges. I workout with my fabulous personal fitness trainer, Brandon Reed at Fitness Together just 2 times a week. Totally doable and after 3 months, it is beginning to feel routine to get on the gear and get to the gym. I feel the success and the integration is happening. When these habits are formed there will be room in my brain to try other new behaviors.

What new habit do you want to bring into your life? How will you make it work for you?

Make it a great week.

Linda