Five Effective Ways to Break a Bad Habit

Habits are behaviors that have been exercised repeatedly over time and have become a part of one’s innate nature. A habit is first conceived in the mind and is then birthed through one’s actions, speech, or both. Good habits are refreshing and productive, but bad habits can kill one’s integrity, character, and purpose. Some examples of bad habits are drug abuse, constant lying, cheating, complacency, laziness, frequent unhealthy eating, uncontrolled anger, lateness, inefficiency, not meeting project deadlines timely, being critical of others, jealous and envious, etc. In this article, I aim to help those of you who have developed bad habits hindering and crippling your growth and abilities and affecting others break free today!

Here are five effective ways to break that bad habit:

First, let’s take a mental trip back to where that bad habit began. What brought it forth, and why did it stay? Once we know its origin, we have found the root and heart of the problem. To encapsulate this thought, it is paramount that one fully understands what one’s mindset, feelings, and focus were at the onset. Comprehension of perspective, emotions, and focus enables one to take responsibility for being the gatekeeper of the thoughts, feelings, and ideas that came into existence from whatever source.

Furthermore, one can, in turn, become accountable for the decisions that were made to entertain and retain the negative thoughts and feelings which led to the bad habit’s formation. Hence, some specific factors to consider are – what was happening at the time? Who was present or not present? How did you feel about the situation(s) that was/were encountered? What did you short-change and compromise in your attitude towards the problem(s)? What was your dissatisfaction? What answers, resources, or solutions did you need but have yet to receive? All these questions are important and must be answered to redeem oneself from the bondage of a bad habit.

Secondly, one must also understand the negative impact and end results of a bad habit on oneself and others. The impact evaluation must be noted and become a major factor for motivating and propelling such change. It takes this kind of holistic approach and accountability to self and others to eradicate a bad habit. For example, an entire group can immediately or over time suffer from a bad habit. Depending on what it is, a bad habit can be devastating to the point of putting an organization under heavy strain or completely out of business. Once understanding and clarity of perceived or conceived negative impact are attained, one can move to the next step.

The next step – what are you feeding this bad habit with? Once we find the source of nourishment and sustenance, we must single them out and render each ineffective. Sources of bad habits could be negative feelings, beliefs, and thoughts, lack of knowledge, familiarity, boredom, hopelessness, divorce, sickness, stress, un-forgiveness, bitterness, anger, resentment, regrets, hurts, rejection, disappointments, misunderstandings, worries, fears, low self-esteem, illusions, and insecurities, etc. – these are just a few and are all to be discarded and replaced by their positive counterparts. To succeed at this transformation, one must pinpoint each nourishment of the identified bad habit and exchange each consciously with new sustenance for the newly identified good practice. One can certainly not kick a bad habit without filling its place with a good one.

Fourthly, assess the environment producing this food source for the bad habit. What is the composition of this environment -people, conditions, things? Be specific and pinpoint each individually. Whatever or whoever is producing this food supply must be checked and evaluated, and one needs to note why this environment hinders one’s and/or others’ growth and abilities –thus repetitiously fueling that bad habit.

Fifthly and in conclusion, one should re-position oneself to a newness of being. A state whereby one can establish a good habit that replaces the bad habit permanently. Also, upon replacing a bad habit with a good one, one should think again –What kind of good habit is being formed? Why is it important, relevant, and capable of permanently replacing the old bad habit? What are the expected end results of this good habit? Once these questions are answered and justified, one can positively build.

Written By: Iodelle A. Chinnery