DEVELOPMENT
Replace it with a healthier alternative It ’ s much easier to break a bad habit if you have a healthier alternative to replace it with . For example , if you ’ re trying to quit smoking , you might try chewing gum or going for a walk when you feel the urge to light up . Hoping to cut back on snacking ? You might try drinking water instead . By replacing your bad habit with a healthier alternative , you ’ ll give yourself a better chance of sticking with your new approach .
Use a habit tracker These can take many different forms , from simple checklists to more complex digital tools . But they all have the same basic goal , which is to help you stay accountable and motivated as you work to change your behaviour . The act of tracking itself can be motivating as it provides a sense of accomplishment and helps you stay focused on your goals . Whether you ’ re trying to work less in the evenings , read more personal development books or reduce your screen time distractions during work , a habit tracker can be a useful tool to help you stay focused and achieve your goals .
Got a bad habit you would like to banish ?
You ’ re in luck ! Here are five tips from productivity expert Donna McGeorge on how to get rid for good …
THE EXPERT
Donna McGeorge is a speaker , author and mentor who helps people make their work work . Using a creative , practical approach , she improves workplace effectiveness while challenging thinking on leadership , productivity and virtual work . ‘ The First 2 Hours : Make Better Use of Your Most Valuable Time ’ is published by John Wiley .
Breaking a bad habit ( whether it ’ s spending too much time on social media , biting your nails or procrastinating ) can be tough but it ’ s not impossible . Whatever it may be , you need a combination of self-discipline , patience and persistence to break it – and develop healthier habits .
Ready to kick that bad habit to the curb ? Here are five powerful strategies and tactics to get you started :
Identify the root cause Before you can start working on getting rid of your bad habit , it ’ s important to understand why you developed it in the first place . Is it a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety ? Is it a something you picked up from friends or family members ? By identifying the root cause , you can start to address the underlying issue and develop healthier coping mechanisms .
Have an accountability partner Having someone who holds you responsible for your actions , and provides support and encouragement as you work towards your goals can be a powerful way to break a bad habit . They could be a friend , family member , colleague or even a professional coach or therapist . It can provide a sense of camaraderie and support , making the journey towards a healthier habit less lonely and more enjoyable .
Don ’ t beat yourself up for not being perfect Change is a process and it is normal to slip up from time to time . If you do falter and engage in your bad habit , it ’ s not the end of the word . Don ’ t punish yourself . Instead , use it as an opportunity to learn and grow . Ask yourself what triggered the slip up and consider what you can do differently next time to avoid it . Remember that breaking a bad habit is a marathon , not a sprint . And every step forward is progress .
Breaking a habit can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating process , and it ’ s important to remember that it ’ s also a journey . Chances are you ’ ll learn a lot about yourself , your triggers and your values – and you ’ ll develop important skills like self-discipline , resilience and self-compassion .
Success is not always measured by how quickly you break a habit , but by the progress you make along the way . So be kind to yourself and celebrate every step forward . S
donnamcgeorge . com
Winter Issue 2024 | Executive PA 55