“You’ll always do what you’ve always done If you always think as you always thought” Daniel Golfman

Breaking Bad Habits for Good


Introduction

Breaking bad habits are not as hard as you may think. Let’s say you want to quit smoking, lose weight, or change any addictive behavior. You’re doomed for failure unless you know the way you think, and what will or will not work for you.

Simply put - you have to know yourself to change yourself.

The topic of the month is: Breaking Bad Habits. As we head into the fall season it’s time to buckle down and get serious = time for serious change. There’s never an ideal time for change.

So now is as good as any -time to rewire the brain!!

Two Brain Concept

Right brain and left brain thinking stems from research in the 60s by psycho-biologist Roger W. Sperry. Sperry realized that the right hemisphere of the brain is the visual part and right brained people process information more intuitively.

Left brained people are more analytical. But, today we know that it’s not as simple as that. We only have one brain and neither way of thinking is better than the other – just different – it’s just interesting to know what comes naturally to you, and what you find more difficult.

Know Yourself

Harry Lorraine made a living on demonstrating his extraordinary brain power. So I thought that if I bought his book, I could have an amazing memory too. Fat chance!! Unlike my brother who mastered the techniques, I worked on that book and quit. I’m more right brained than left brained and I’m sure as hard as I try, I’ll never be a ‘mastermind’ like Harry Lorraine.

To break bad habits, you have to know what works for you and what will never work.

Habits

The habits you have, didn’t come overnight, and you’re used to them. You may not like them, but your brain has become hardwired to respond automatically.

So the more you practice, the more you’ll get used to the good habit. Keep practicing.

triggers

A trigger is the thought or feeling that leads you do what you do. Triggers also can go on automatic pilot.

For example you’re at home alone watching TV and you’re bored. You get up and go and get something to eat. Are you hungry? No. You’re bored. So boredom is a trigger -- Eating kills time.

You have to know your triggers to change your habits.

Repetition

When you’re changing bad habits you have to do the good one over and over -- Sometimes you may forget but don’t give up. Repetition is the only way to change. Keep at it.

Experiment

As we said, all of us think differently. So what works for some people, may not work for you.

For example: You want to stop smoking and a friend tells you that ‘the patch’ worked miracles for them. So you get ‘the patch’ and fail. It doesn’t mean that you can’t quit smoking. The patch simply may not be the best method for you.

Commitment

The more people you involve, the harder it is to go back on your word. Some people go one step further. They give someone money and if they don’t reach their goal within a certain period of time the money is theirs to keep. Now that’s pressure – but this too won’t work for everyone.

Simplicity

Keep your thinking simple. Do not make plans for ‘when I lose the weight’, ‘stop drinking’ etc. There is only now – and one day at a time.

Be Positive

Any time you say’ I can’t’, or ‘I’ll never’, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Focus on what your successes. Compliment yourself on the good stuff, and don’t expect perfection. Negativity is a recipe for disaster.

Tips

1. Understand the way you think. 2. Focus on breaking one bad habit at a time. 3. Observe the automatic triggers that you’ve developed. 4. Keep doing for the new behavior over and over, day after day. 5. Make a commitment to yourself and others, that you are going to change. 6. Experiment with the technique that works best for you. 7. Keep working on your new behavior for 30 days minimum 8. Don’t give up on yourself or give yourself excuses. 9. Stay focused on being positive about yourself and your change. 10. Extend your 30 days to 60 days to 90 days etc.

Re-wiring your brain takes time, but what’s the rush? Bad habits didn’t come overnight and they’re not going to disappear overnight.

Just keep at it day after day, no excuses, nothing negative, and bad habits will slowly go way.

Q.&.A

Hi Bev,

I am dating someone who is sober for 3 years. She is early in her twenties, works the steps, has a sponsor, and a spiritual faith. But sometimes she can switch like Jekyll and Hyde -- from absolutely delightful to misplaced anger, followed by avoiding me. She will meet with a sponsor or talk to an old timer but will not deal with the issues with me. The split personality is extremely confusing, I am struggling to understand what on earth this is. Can you help me?

Ben

Answer: Hi Ben,

Your girlfriend seems to be working very hard on her sobriety and is putting a lot of energy into the 12 step program.

Many recovering alcoholic/addicts have difficulty expressing their emotions, because for years they have been masking them by getting drunk or high. Once in recovery, they don't have the drink to fall back on and often have difficulty knowing how to deal with the pressures of every day life. This is the reason that they not only have to go to meetings and reach out to a sponsor, but they also have to work the 12 steps with that sponsor. These are the steps

The steps help the person in recovery get in touch with their emotions and deal with them appropriately.

The most important thing for her and for all people in the program is staying sober one day at a time. Some days are more of a struggle than others, but it gets better with time.

Your girlfriend is not trying to shut you out by calling her sponsor or members of the program. She is simply trying to deal day by day with the stressors of life without taking a drink. She feels comfortable with the members because they are all in the same boat. Be patient and don’t take offence.

I hope this is helpful,

Bev

Have a problem with a compulsive behavior?

Food, drugs, alcohol, gambling, codependency, sex and relationships? If you need a 'quick fix' for an immediate problem, a consultation or recovery coaching?

You can reach me by phone or on the internet.

But don't book a session before you try it. Take the opportunity of 15 free minutes, to see it it's for you.

Just call to set it up. (514) 288-1891 Or Skype me for free. My Skype name is CoachBevA1.

Got a question or suggestion? Let me know. And if you want, you can share it with others.

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