TIP OF THE MONTH

Changing Habits

Do you want to change one of your habits or start a whole new habit? Do you find it difficult when you've tried this in the past? Well here is a tip that will help you to be more successful in the future.

It takes a long time for a habit to become ingrained and we imagine it will just disappear because we have decided to, but sometimes it takes a bit more than that. If your a driver you will remember how awkward it was in the beginning to deal with all the peddles and gears and watch the road. After many times of driving it gradually becomes an unconscious action. So that's what we want to achieve with changing or starting a new habit.

So here are some suggestions about how to do this more successfully:

1. If you have a habit that you don't like, think about what you want instead. 

2. Write out your new goal in a way that is SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed For example, rather than saying "I want to get fit" make it very clear what you ntend to do to get fit – "I intend to exercise 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week" would make it much clearer.

3. Consider the obstacles that might get in your way and what you will do to overcome them if they arise. Few people bother to do this but its really important. The more determined you are the more you will find ways round the obstacles. If you fall at the first fence you may give up, so think about this now. This also acts as a reality check on your goal. Refine it if you think that on reflection its not realistic.

4. Having decided on your new goal or habit, write it on several postcards or yellow post-it notes and put the in places that will remind you all the time - for example

· next to your bed

· on the bathroom mirror

· on the fridge

· in your purse, wallet, handbag, or case

· in your car

· on your computer

· how about putting a recurring event in your electronic calendar

· if you have a smart phone perhaps you could programme an alarm reminder

· and any others you can think of!

5. Consider asking your partner or friends for help. Share with them your goal and ask them
to check how you are doing at regular intervals and encourage you.

6. So now you are ready to go. Keep this up everyday for at least 30 days or until it becomes an
unconscious habit.

Good luck with the change, keep at it!