Real change happens only when it becomes part of our everyday life. When a change becomes a habit, it isn't something new we are trying, but becomes part of what we do as our routine. I was reading a Wynona Judd interview and they asked her about her diet. She replied that she wasn't on a diet; she was on "A Live It." I thought this was great because the risk of a diet or any change is that we won't stick to it. We won't live it. We will simply do it until we get the results we want, or get discouraged, and revert to our old habits. A live it is not something that we are going to do for a short while, but something we will do for a lifetime.
Permanent change comes only when we integrate the change into our lives and form a new habit. Everything we do is habit. From getting up in the morning and brushing our teeth, to the side of the bed we tuck ourselves into at the end of the day. Habits might seem like actions that are hard to add to your life. But, there was a time when taking a bath was not a habit, and as children we might have even tried to get out of taking baths. Other daily habits that we have such as brushing our teeth or eating certain foods all are habits we formed at one time or another. Habits become habits because of repetition. If you do something enough times it will become a habit.
The trick is not to try to change too much all at once. It takes time to form a habit, so pick just one or two things you would like to live, and begin integrating those changes into your life. Focus on just the one or two new changes until they become a habit, or what I refer to as getting it at a cellular level. Once the changes are integrated into your life and you are truly living it, try implementing another change or two. It may not seem like a lot, but if you just created one new habit a year, you would have ten new habits in a ten-year period.
Notice that I am not talking about breaking a habit or getting rid of a habit. I don't believe that is possible. I truly believe we have to replace or change the habit. The universe abhors a void, so we cannot just remove the habit, because it will leave a void and something will need to fill it. If we don't replace the habit with a new one, chances are the old one will return. Creating new habits is simply about deciding what you want more of or less of, and then creating habits that will allow you to achieve that. So instead of going on something or making temporary changes, decide what you want to be different, and live it.
Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com. Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com. True Direction, Inc. Copyright > > > This article along with byline attached may be freely republished < <
I must confess, I laughed when I saw that Maria... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
Why should you bother to spend your valuable time learning... Read More
Life is all about choices. And so is the way... Read More
Small talk used to be really hard work for me.... Read More
1. If What You Are Doing Is Not Working Change... Read More
As the last day of school arrives I feel the... Read More
Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More
Many people, particularly students, would love to be able to... Read More
No matter how wonderful you are sometimes other people will... Read More
Successful people have always had clear, focused goals that guide... Read More
I'll never forget what my mentor told me: "Don't communicate... Read More
The fear of saying something silly and feeling embarrassed stops... Read More
As a coach that specializes in marriage, couples and family... Read More
"3 Questions, 5 Minutes a Day: Make leaps towards greater... Read More
That one guy at work that always has to be... Read More
Seeking improved performance at work? Wishing you could finally achieve... Read More
Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) often feel like they... Read More
WARNING! If you want to have a fantastic life, never... Read More
1. Get a life purpose statement.A well thought out life... Read More
Taking control of your life is getting in touch with... Read More
Spirituality coaching is more than creating goals and holding someone... Read More
You may be just starting, or contemplating, your first online... Read More
I'm calling you out. Issuing a Challenge. Relax, It's not... Read More
My sister is a woman now beginning her thirties. She... Read More
I've told people for a long time that one of... Read More
We are frequently held back from making future plans or... Read More
Real change happens only when it becomes part of our... Read More
Anybody who has visited my website at Motivation & Self... Read More
Three years ago, Paul left his corporate job to launch... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 15,... Read More
1. Learn About YouIf you don't know who you are... Read More
As an ADD Coach, I usually begin my conversations with... Read More
I must confess, I laughed when I saw that Maria... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
Why should you bother to spend your valuable time learning... Read More
Life is all about choices. And so is the way... Read More
Small talk used to be really hard work for me.... Read More
1. If What You Are Doing Is Not Working Change... Read More
As the last day of school arrives I feel the... Read More
Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More
Many people, particularly students, would love to be able to... Read More
No matter how wonderful you are sometimes other people will... Read More
Successful people have always had clear, focused goals that guide... Read More
I'll never forget what my mentor told me: "Don't communicate... Read More
The fear of saying something silly and feeling embarrassed stops... Read More
As a coach that specializes in marriage, couples and family... Read More
"3 Questions, 5 Minutes a Day: Make leaps towards greater... Read More
That one guy at work that always has to be... Read More
Seeking improved performance at work? Wishing you could finally achieve... Read More
Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) often feel like they... Read More
WARNING! If you want to have a fantastic life, never... Read More
1. Get a life purpose statement.A well thought out life... Read More
Taking control of your life is getting in touch with... Read More
Spirituality coaching is more than creating goals and holding someone... Read More
You may be just starting, or contemplating, your first online... Read More
I'm calling you out. Issuing a Challenge. Relax, It's not... Read More
My sister is a woman now beginning her thirties. She... Read More
I've told people for a long time that one of... Read More
We are frequently held back from making future plans or... Read More
Real change happens only when it becomes part of our... Read More
Anybody who has visited my website at Motivation & Self... Read More
Three years ago, Paul left his corporate job to launch... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 15,... Read More
1. Learn About YouIf you don't know who you are... Read More
As an ADD Coach, I usually begin my conversations with... Read More
Coaching Coaching |