5 Steps to breaking a habit

Habits are deep rooted beliefs about ourselves and that is why they are difficult to break.  For instance if you have always given yourself the label of working up to wire and being OK with being last minute that will become a belief and you will behave accordingly.   We need to question how does that identity and behaviour serve us?   

There is evidence that as humans we have an innate urge to feel in control.  Routines give us a feeling of familiarity, comfort and safety.  Below is a five step plan to break a habit that does not serve you well:-

1. Open a notepad and write down the behaviour or behaviours that you need to stop doing.  eg. scrolling on your phone mindlessly on your commute to work
2. Create a list of short term goals that target the behaviour you have identified eg. I will read a chapter of my book on my way to work, I will read fiction and non fiction to grow my mind
3. Write down 3 bottom lines/boundaries that you will not cross eg. a) I will not get my phone out of my bag b) I will only look at my phone before 8.30am  c) I will have my phone on silent
4. At the bottom of this list have a supporter eg. "If I break this I will write down that I broke a boundary let X know and be accountable to my own behavioural slippage
5. Writing down how you might replace the behaviour eg. reading a book instead of looking at the phone or simply looking out the window or commuting with a friend.  Always try and find healthier alternative to the habit  you are trying to change. 

Working with a Coach is  a really great way to have a supporter and someone to be accountable to.