It’s only the 9th day of January and already, many have fallen off the resolutions wagon! If that’s you and you still have bad habits that need breaking, check out what CNBC’s Catherine Clifford says about the 3 scientifically proven ways to break bad habits and say so long to yours in 2017!
Supercharge your willpower
Willpower is another word for self-control, the ability to forego short-term temptations in order to reach long-term goals. For many, a lack of willpower is an excuse for giving up. There are two common understandings about willpower. One is that it works like a muscle, in that it gets stronger when you use it. But there is also research that suggests that your amount of willpower depends on your thinking about willpower. If you think there is no limit to the amount of willpower you have, then there isn’t.
This second theory sounds like something we’ve heard in the Bible before…”As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7) The way you talk to yourself matters! So what are you saying to yourself when faced with any kind of temptation or trial?
Dig into your bad habit
Psychiatrist and addiction expert Judson Brewer says that by becoming very mindful about what you are doing and why you are doing it, you can interrupt the existing feedback loop that keeps a bad habit going.
Do you even know WHY you do what you do? If you’ve never taken the time to think about it, spending time doing so can be the boost that you need!
By digging into the experience of our bad habits, we are more likely to understand why they are bad for us and become less interested in acting on them.
Try “I don’t” rather than “I can’t”
Saying “I don’t” is empowering and suggests a self-imposed decision. Using “I can’t,” on the contrary, suggests being constrained by external forces.
This should be an easy one! With just one quick word swap, you’ll be giving your will power a helping hand. Whether you want to stop the junk food or the junk mindset, these 3 proven strategies are a great place to start!
