3 Things Not To Do In Breaking Habits

Last time we took a look at 3 ways of establishing new habits.  But what are the things not to do in breaking a habit?  Are there some pitfalls we can avoid?

 #1  Don’t concentrate on the habit

More mileage is got from not paying too much attention to the habit you want to change.  Giving attention to the habit you want to change is actually magnifying the habit.  This makes it more of an uphill challenge to change.

Not giving the habit attention starves the habit of the importance it takes in your life.   It is not that you are pretending like it does not exist.  But when you do not give the habit focus, It gives you more opportunity to focus on those habits you wish to develop.  

Focusing on solutions to any challenge you face in life is always more effective than focus on the challenge itself.   Replacing habits with good ones as opposed to focusing on the ones you wish to change will bring astounding results.    The new ones soon starve out old bad habits.

#2  Don’t take on multiple habits

Maintain your focus while building your confidence.   We talked about focus the last time.  As with everything in life, when you are overwhelmed with challenges, focus is essential in making progress.   Prioritise and take one habit on at a time to change.

Attempting to change several habits at once may be de-motivating at the least.   As with carrying any load, the lighter the load, the greater the distance you can go with it.   Taking on one habit at a time enables you build up confidence with each individual habit you conquer.   Soon you build up a record of successful changes in habits with exponential successful outcomes.

#3 Don’t keep it a secret

Don’t keep your plan a secret.  Tell someone that is  not likely to discourage you about your plan. 

Keeping your plans on habit change  a secret deprives you of the opportunity of external accountability on the progress you make with breaking the habit.    Get a mentor or coach.   Get someone close to you to help you keep account on your habit change.  Get positive peer input.

Having an external check on your progress helps keep your motivation up.   You may feel broadcasting your intentions to change certain habits may leave you vulnerable to attack by people.  However,  a lot more can be gained with the support you can find in engaging with the right people on your challenge.  

A team always achieves more than an individual.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  (New International Version):

Growing an effective team on your challenge may be the best thing you can do.  

So do you have any of your own tips?  Please share in comments below.  If you are on Pinterest, why not Pin this post being so many have challenges with breaking bad habits.   

About The Author

Chuck

It all started with Eze (fondly called Chuck) fainting at the airport. When he regained consciousness, Chuck found himself in a mental hospital. He was diagnosed with Psychotic Depression. Over time, Chuck was diagnosed with a range of other mental illnesses with the final one being Schizophrenia. Unbeknown to him about this latest record on his medical files, Chuck carried on with day to day living over the next 14 years until he met Zoe. Over the next 4 years, Chuck and Zoe began a journey of faith to defy the odds of mental illness. Today Chuck’s medical records say NO MENTAL ILLNESS. He defied mental illness and is helping others do the same.

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