Comments on: 7 Ways To Break A Habit

By: 100 Ways To Screw Up Your Life

100 Ways To Screw Up Your Life — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:05:06 +0000

[...] everything in your life, from eating to making love. And then give your consciousness away to those habits. Live outside new challenges. Sleepwalk from the second you wake up to the moment you go to bed. [...]

By: Coaches247.com

Coaches247.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:17:03 +0000

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By: Stephen - Rat Race Trap

Stephen - Rat Race Trap — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:14:55 +0000

Excellent article and suggestions Dragos. Well done!
Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog ..Irrational Decisions – Anchoring and Arbitrary Coherence

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:51:51 +0000

I also used a timer logger (an addin for Outlook called Qlockwork, http://www.workingprogram.com)

That showed me that I was actually prompting myself to repeat my bad habit! It showed me my bad habit was checking my email all the time. I realised I had email alerts that popped up to prompt me to “behave badly” by looking at my emails, so I turned them off.

My tip would be: find out if you are being prompted or encouraged by something to repeat your habit and then get rid of that prompt. I guess that’s a bit like avoiding friends with the same habit.

By: Marko

Marko — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:01:58 +0000

Yes, in a way it’s like using an anchor. Not strictly in the NLP sense or as outlined in your article.

It works best with skill or activity based habits you want to implement – not so much with habits you want to get rid of. And you need at least 1 already established habit that you are going to use to attach the new action to.

Being a musician I’ve developed a strong routine of practicing. Whenever I want to implement a new habit or develop a new skill, I link it to my practice routine. I prepare everything as much as possible, so that IMMEDIATELY after practicing I can launch into the new activity.

If my new habit is to exercise more, I’d prepare the equipment in advance and I’d maybe even do my music practice in my jogging outfit, so I’d be ready to get going.

For brushing up on a language, I’d have my material (language tapes, books) ready to go, etc…

I just want to be able to immediately launch into the new activity right from the already established habit. This carries over some of that energy and combats the inertia and procrastination factor.

After3-4 weeks when I feel that the new habit is established, then I’d ease off on it and check it out disconnected from the old habit. In most cases that’s long enough. If I sense the danger of some slacking, I’ll put it back to the piggy-back style, just to be sure.
Marko´s last blog ..The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick — Review

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:39:10 +0000

I really enjoyed this post Dragos. I have definitely experienced habits that I have had a tough time breaking out of. I especially like finding a higher stake. I am currently going through that. I had a habit of going to my job, collecting a paycheck, and living a passionless life. Now that changes have been made, and I am no longer at my job, I have to start taking action. Now if I slack off, I am only hurting myself. Thanks for the post!

By: Bunnygotblog

Bunnygotblog — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:13:57 +0000

This is a wonderful post. I especially like #6. People have to remember you are who you hang out with.
Bunnygotblog´s last blog ..Halloween Recipes: Abracadabra

By: dragos

dragos — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:48:38 +0000

That sounds like a very interesting idea, attaching actions to already existing habits. Sounds a lot like anchors to me. But with a twist. Can you tell me more? Thanks

By: Marko

Marko — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:34:09 +0000

In the past I’ve used a piggy-back tactic to install positive new actions by attaching them to already existing habits.

I hadn’t thought of getting rid of negative habits using a similar method, but now, thanks to your post and tactic #3, I have a couple of ideas.

And with a success track record in the past I feel quite confident to easily implement this as well.

So thanks in advance.
Marko´s last blog ..It’s Not Just About the Money

By: dragos

dragos — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:25:51 +0000

If you’re going to give it a try be sure to stop by and let us know how it went. I’m really curious.