How to Form a New Habit to Replace a Bad Habit

As the muscles support the body, good habits contribute to the positive character of a man. Like the muscles of the body which grow, becoming larger and stronger with exercise, shrink and shrivel and waste away with neglect, so do the habits of a man. The more muscles are used, the more powerful they become. The more a positive habit is reinforced the more it will become part of your being.

Forming a new habit is the same as breaking a bad one. The best way to break a bad habit is to replace it with a positive one.

Here's how:

Begin by writing down on paper what you want your new habit to be and ways to achieve this new behavior, in essence, your goal. Add why you want to develop this new habit and what the benefits are of developing it. Also write down the drawbacks and consequences of remaining in the old behavior. Refer to this page often for motivation and inspiration and to keep yourself on track. Read it daily, twice daily if you have to. Start with a specific goal in mind, one that is achievable and realistic, and decide to sustain the behavior for thirty days. Thirty days is an ideal challenge and one that is obtainable and sensible. Once that thirty day goal is realized you will be proud of your success and will have positive incentive and confidence to continue.

Visualization is a wonderful tool to help you successfully form your new habit. For example, if you are trying to form the habit of daily exercise it is beneficial to envision yourself toned and in shape. Putting visual images about your living environment will also help you keep on track. There is nothing like a photograph of a toned, in shape individual pasted to your morning mirror to motivate you to hit the gym! If the new goal is physical in nature, try to perform the new habit at the same time each day at the same location if possible.

Begin a new habit with a strong attitude. Begin with a "do or die" attitude. Create all the circumstances possible to enforce the habit. Consciously place yourself under conditions that encourage the new way. Create circumstances incompatible with the old. If necessary tell others of the new habit you are trying to develop so as to hold yourself accountable. Better yet, find someone that wants to develop the same new habit and do it together, this way you are accountable to each other. Spend time with, and surround yourself with people that have already formed the habit that you are trying to master, positive role models. If they succeeded, so can you! Avoid those that stay stuck in he same bad habit you are trying to break until your new habit is firmly rooted and established.

The larger the momentum at the beginning, the less likely it will be for you to be tempted to quit the new behavior. Each and every day that you do not quit the new habit, the more likely the chances of the habit sticking and for you to achieve success. Stay away from triggers or any stimulus that might cause you to fail. For example, if you are trying to form the habit of not smoking, avoid smokers! The smell of the smoke is stimulus enough to cause you to fail!

Never let an exception happen until the new habit is firmly established in your life, repeating the habit continuously. The repetition will give the habit power and sustainability. A lapse in the habit can be likened to letting a ball of yarn fall that you are winding. One slip undoes much more than a large amount of turns will to wind it up again, but if you do have a lapse, do not lose heart. Allow yourself be imperfect, don't beat yourself up over it, forgive yourself and simply replay in your mind what caused you to fail, write the reasons down for the failed behavior, be very specific, and avoid the mindset, thoughts, or triggers that caused you to fail in the first place. Set a new time goal to maintain the habit, and begin again, this time with more determination and conviction. You may fail numerous times, but if you stick with it, you will succeed!

Lastly, as the new habit is forming reward yourself for progress made. Make sure these rewards do not jeopardize or sabotage the new habit being formed. For example, if developing the habit of eating more healthily, do no reward yourself with a large ice cream sunday loaded with chocolate syrup and sprinkles! Instead, treat yourself to a bubble bath, a night out at the movies or a new outfit.

Let the new habit begin and congratulations on your future success!!!!