There is an old Chinese proverb that says, ““Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” Habits are powerful influences on your lives either for good or bad. While any list of bad habits would be purely subjective, there are some examples of bad habits, like worry, cursing, gambling, gossip, or addictions to food, drugs, tobacco or alcohol that might make anyone’s list.
To paraphrase this proverb, you could say, “What you thought, and what you did, determined what you are.” Therefore, whether you suffer from obesity, addictions, anger, or depression, you are now the product of your thoughts. Your actions and feelings are then produced by your thoughts.
After many years of practicing bad habits, you may wonder if it is possible to turn over a new leaf. The answer is simple: the accomplishment, however, requires some diligent work on your part. Behavioral Modification experts state that it takes 21 days to dehabituate a behavior. It then requires an additional 21 days to rehabituate a new behavior. At this point it should become second nature to you.
Therefore, if you can commit to 42 days of conscientious discipline, you can see a radical change in your habits, your character, and your destiny. The good news is the power of a bad habit can be broken and replaced with a good one in just six short weeks.
I want to share the 7 Steps I offer my clients who wish to break a bad habit. These are stated simply, but can be elaborated upon in private sessions.
1. PRAY THE SERENITY PRAYER by asking God to help you change what you have the ability to change.
2. CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE about the behavior. Stop accepting it as appropriate and think of it as something that you must remove from your life.
3. STOP DOING THE BAD ACTION. When you stop reinforcing the behavior it will become less dominant in your life.
4. REPLACE THE BAD HABIT with a good behavior (i.e. gum instead of cigarettes, tonic water instead of alcohol).
5. BE PATIENT AND FORGIVING OF YOURSELF through the process. You are in involved in a marathon, not a sprint. You may suffer some setbacks, but keep plodding along. You will make it, if you do not give up.
6. REWARD YOURSELF for small accomplishments. Even Dr. Ivan Pavlov, the noted Russian
physiologist, psychologist, and physician, understood the importance of this principle of
reward.
7. TESTIFY OF YOUR SUCCESSES. Tell your friends and family how many days you have been, “clean and sober.” It will encourage others who may be struggling with unwanted habits, and it will motivate you to stay on track.
Habits are not unbreakable. If you have something that you are unhappy with, if it ain’t broke, then you need to break it. You will never regret it. There is much more that can be added to this subject. If you need a little help getting started, I am here just for you…let’s talk.
****A Personal Word to Our Readers from Dr. Frazier****
Please feel free to share your questions, observations, or insights with our readers and me. Website: http://www.donfrazier.com
Author: Donald Frazier
| Author's Website: http://donfrazier.com
Written: 08/09/2010
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Category: Golden Nuggets
Comments: 0
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