Change your life by changing your habits

Loes Knetsch ^©

It takes 30 days to change any habit, did you know that? To replace any habit into a better or a different one. And it doesn’t matter what habit it is. It also takes 30 days to add a new habit into your life. Do something for 30 days in a row, and the habit will stain.

This post is not about to point out good or bad habits. It is about how you can change unwanted things. How you can use your own thoughts to change your life. Replace the habit with something else for 30 days, and you will be “cured” of it. The same way you can add a new habit. It requires a bit of discipline and perseverance.

Sometimes you choose to change learned habits yourself, but sometimes another person forces you to change habits. When, for example, your boss fires you or when you retire. We get out of balance and then have to adjust our habits to the circumstances.

But let’s assume that you want to change habits yourself. What are the habits you want to replace? Or are there any additions you want into your life?

If you want something in your life you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done. ~ J.D. Houston Click To Tweet

It is not up to me to tell you which habits are bad or which habits you have to add or replace. I just explain to you the “HOW” to do that.”

1. Write down your goals.

The first question is: “What is your motivation?” That comes before any goal. When you have that part clear, don’t overdo it, start small. Example: You want to come from bed early. That means you have to go to bed earlier, skip your favorite late night program, nowadays you can record any program to watch it later. And you want to replace your coffee for tea, you want to start jogging and change your breakfast habits. That are too many changes at once. You will not succeed.

What to do? Start with one habit at the time. The first 30 days, you go to bed early and stand up early. And start with your usual cup of coffee, and your old trusted breakfast. The next 30 days you go to bed early and stand up early and you replace the coffee for tea. I think you get the meaning 🙂

2. Make a To-Do list.

May: Early to bed, early stand up.

June: + Replace coffee for tea.

July: + Replace bacon and eggs for cereal & yogurt.

August: + Start walking every day.

September: + Start jogging every day.

3. Schedule on your calendar.

Your start date, and every single follow-up too. Write it down actually. And place barriers to avoid being triggered. For example: Buy another brand of coffee, one you do not like so much.

4. Don’t postpone.

The idea is there, schedule your start day within 4 weeks from now.
Don’t postpone till after your birthday, or until New Year’s day, or whatever excuse you have not to start. Because those are excuses. Make a schedule and set a day!

Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday ~ Napoleon Hill Click To Tweet

5. Keep a journal.

Write down your accomplishments! Your troubles and doubts. You would die for a cup of coffee, but you’ll stick to the green tea. Write down what the triggers are, why you can’t keep it up. It’s very important that you recognize the pitfalls. For example: When you watch a horror film, you come to the discovery that you are missing 5 nails. Then build in some self-protection, don’t watch those films or stick some tape on your nails before you watch.

6. Give yourself a treat.

When you’ve succeeded the first month, treat yourself! Pet yourself on the back. Buy a new book, new makeup, a visit to the hairdresser. Any healthy treat will do fine!

7. Build in reminders.

That can be stick-up notes, a timer on the TV or an alarm what goes off. You can also restrain yourself by only giving yourself permission to do something after you’ve done a list of chores.

8. Put a “Pot of dreams” on the table.

Every time you slip-up, you have to put a dollar into the pot of dreams,
and at the end of each month, you donate the content to a charity of your choice.

9. Make connections with old habits

Example: Every night, after dinner you used to sit on the couch watching TV, and your new habit is: Brush your teeth.

Before TV on = Teeth brushing time.

10. Carry a reminder.

That can be anything, from a necklace to a gemstone or just a pebble.

A knot in your handkerchief to a bracelet around your wrist.

Change Your Life

By Changing Your Habits

You can change anything you want when you follow these instructions. You can go from not reading to reading every day. You can go from not writing to writing a blog a day. From watching television every night to watch only at certain times. But it’s very important to take small steps so you can achieve your goal.

You really will experience the feeling of success,

keep a hold of that feeling,

and the universe will bring you more!

16 habits of unsuccessful people

The difference between bad habits and addictions

A habit is not an addiction. Addictions go a step further than habits. A habit is something you do without thinking, such as nail biting. An addiction is something you can not live without. To quit an addiction, you often need professional help. Addiction is more complex. Getting in the habit of brushing your teeth 3 times a day is in a completely different area than stopping an addiction. Smoking, using abusive drugs or alcohol, or over-eating are not habits but addictions. This requires an extreme form of self-discipline if you want to change that all by yourself, and often you need the help of others.

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