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| The Path to a Better, Healthier You |
 Lisa writes, "Anyone who has tackled changing a long-standing habit knows that it is not just about willpower or good intentions. Lifestyle changes include shifting mindset, motivation and intent. The encouraging, good news is that by incorporating recent research findings, long-term lasting change is possible without the help from therapists or expensive special programs. Here's what the latest research on habit-breaking and motivation suggests for a better you."
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How are those New Year resolutions? It might surprise you to know that 25% of people who make resolutions abandon them by the end of the first week, with the majority conceding defeat along the way. We start out with good intentions and think we have willpower. Scientists of many disciplines have long grappled with the issue of how to get people to do what is good for them. Remember the many public health campaigns to induce people to stop smoking by educating them of the dangers of smoking? It turns out that it is far easier for people to make excuses as to why they are still smoking than aligning their thoughts with change. Anyone who has tackled changing a long-standing habit knows that it is not just about willpower or good intentions. Lifestyle changes include shifting mindset, motivation and intent.
The encouraging, good news is that by incorporating recent research findings, long-term lasting change is possible without the help from therapists or expensive special programs. Here's what the latest research on habit-breaking and motivation suggests for a better you:
1) Maintain Realistic Expectations
- Visualize success as well as challenges you will face (See yourself with a larger bank account and also wrestling with the decision to not buy something frivolous)
- Avoid situations that induce habits you want to break (Don't go down the candy aisle)
- Quickly forgive yourself for slip-ups and move forward with your resolve
2) Find What Motivates You
- Visualize how incorporating your goal will help you become the person you want to be
- Make it fun (Reward yourself, ask friends to join in)
- Focus on how your new habits will improve your relationships (Research indicates that this is a huge motivator for people)
- Measure your progress (Spread sheet, apps on phone, even a notebook)
3) Take Baby Steps
- Break goals down into manageable parts (This builds confidence and success)
4) Have an Action Plan
- Know what to do when triggered (If I am offered a slice of cheesecake, I will say, “No thanks.”)
- Make your intentions positive (Thinking, "I will ignore the phone and focus on my children," works better than "I won't answer the phone.")
- Visualize yourself implementing your plans and see the positive effects it will have for a better, healthier you.
Reaching your holy grail is possible by incorporating the strategies outlined above. It's important to remember that lasting change is hard, but acknowledging that and planning for challenges will actually help you to be more successful in reaching your goals. Finally, the goals you set must be your own, sourced from your values and vision of what makes a better, healthier you.
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Posted on Feb 23, 2012 13:49pm.
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