We’re the habits we’re adding since early stage. Good and bad ones. Reactions and auto defenses turn into behaviors adopted when we’re under certain situations. They become patterns. One event triggers one habit. Alarm clock triggers “clicking” the snooze button. Right? A conscientious choice or just an habit we let grow inside us?
Personal habits, professional habits they all settle in quietly. Habits define in big part who we are and how are we perceived by others.
Those habits all together “drive” you and have lead you to the roads you stepped in, the ones you attracted or the ones you could see.
In one single day we’re faced with situations that could lead to different experiences. Very often life’s a kind of two road option but a) we can’t foresee it b) we’re propelled to one side by our standard habit without even thinking for a second that we had an option.
Below you may find some of the most common negative habits that undermine our potential and growth. It’s not that simple to drop an old habit. Studies show the most effective way is to replace it with another one (Use the opportunity to embrace a constructive one).
I tried to mirror what could be good alternatives to replace an habit. It’s not about following the opposite adjective, but to dissect what’s in the old habit and how can we fill the negative content with an image of something positive and constructive. Embed in your subconscious the add value of the new habit. Use this “replacement” to reinvent yourself. Below some of the most common but I’m sure each of us will have different challenges:
- Criticism > Give Constructive feedback (even to yourself)
- Judgment > Be more accepting in your general attitude
- Cynicism > Be cheerful and positive
- Worry > Detach yourself from expected outcomes
- Fear > Face challenge with curiosity and enthusiasm
- Procrastination > Get things done, small steps
- Overthinking > Brainstorm, analyze, make choices and move on
- Being busy > Shift your focus in one task at the time
- Anxiety > live in the moment, not in the future
- Negativism > Surround yourself with positive minded people
Now you may wonder “if habits pop up automatically how can I intervene?”
Awareness. Be attentive. Slow down on your reactions, answers and thoughts. Don’t rush with opinions, statements, judgments or actions. Give some peace and pace to your mind. Ask yourself “is this leading me to something positive?”, “is this what I chose or my habit choosing it for me?”
Don’t try to change all of them overnight, you’ll lose the grip very soon. Instead, try this: During one week replace one of them. For instance no criticism. Completely. At home, at work, in the street, talking with colleagues. Recognize when you couldn’t hold it.
Managing it will give you a sense of power and control and in the long run people around you will appreciate more your company. All it takes is discipline, commitment and practice.
Im grateful for the post. Fantastic. Bumpers