Changing Habits – Part II

 

In part one of this article, we talked about the fact that most of us have habits that we would like to change. We said, the first step in making any change to our habits is to really, really want to change and to commit to making the change.

Of course wanting to change a habit and even committing to changing a habit are fairly easy things to do, following through on our commitment is the real challenge. Before we go any further lets talk about the change process and what it entails.

The change process goes as follows:

1. There is a catalyst for change. Something happens that makes us aware that we need to make a change in our habits, that “something” could be, we are struck with a health issue which was brought on by our habits, or because a part of our life is in jeporady, our job, our relationships, etc or it could be as simple as we are not happy with what the impact our habit has on us.
2. We make a decision  and a full commitment to change our habit.
3. We enter a period of Chaos. During the chaotic period, many things happen, we feel uncomfortable, deprived of our desire to fulfill our habit. We feel weak, we feel confused, we feel out of control. We find excuses to justify our habit. Depending on the habit that we are trying to change we may have physical reactions to the change such as headaches, body aches, dizziness, feeling weak or lethargic. You may become moody, you may snap at little things that normally wouldn’t get to you. During this time our body may feel as though it is demanding that we go back to our comfortable, familiar habit to make us feel “normal” again. During this chaos period, you may find that some of the actions that you are taking work and others may not work, this may add to your confusion and your inclination to make excuses or procrastinate on the change that you want to make.

This is a time of CHAOS! Everything that you are feeling, thinking and going through is normal!

No one said changing a habit was going to be easy! The key is to recognize that you are in a period of chaos. That what you are going through is to be expected.

Now you may be saying to yourself, yes, that is exactly how I feel when I have tried to change my habits in the past and that is why it dosen’t work, that is why I am still living with the same habit. Who wants to go through that? There must be an easier way!

The truth is, there is not an easier way. Change is a process, not an event,this is one of the key lessons which I have learned, change is a process, not an event, which simply means that change does not happen at the snap of our fingers, by taking a magic pill or attending a motivational seminar, change takes committment and time. Effective change is a process.

The good news is that the “Chaos” period does not have to be all bad. One of the great things about being in the chaotic period is that are brain is fully engaged, we are confused, out of our comfort zone and because we are, this places us in one of the most creative periods that we can be in. See, because are mind is in chaos, it wants to get out of chaos. To get out of chaos, our brain goes into overdrive to figure out how to get out of chaos, therefore, our brain goes into a highly creative state! Once you stop and realize this, you can use the chaos period to your advantage. Be aware, this may be the time when you come up with great ideas in regards to changing your habit and also great creative ideas in other aspects of your life! This can be a really wonderful time! The key is to know to look for it and to take advantage of this time.

Note, there is no time limit on the chaotic period, the range of time that it lasts, will depend on what the habit is that you are changing, how long you have had the habit, etc. Remember this a process, not an event.

4.  You have a Transforming Idea or an Aha! moment. Out of the chaos you will come to have a transforming idea, thought or an aha! moment. This is the point when you will have a new or clear understanding of what you need to do, how you need to do it and a clear understanding of why you can make this change. This is a time of clarity, you will now begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, a time when you begin to feel comfortable with the change that you are making.

Your new behavior will begin to emerge as a new habit. You will now start to feel more comfortable with the new habit then you are with the old familiar habit. At this point, you have made the change.

There are  more factors that I would like to talk about in regards to changing habits. I will write and post  part 3 tomorrow.

Today, I would like you to reflect on the habit that you wish to change, understand, know and commit to making the change and prepare yourself mentally to enter the chaotic period.

Check back tomorrow for my third installment on changing habits.