Breaking bad habits…
“A bad habit never disappears miraculously, it’s an undo-it-yourself project.” –Abigail “Dear Abby” Van Buren
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aise your hand if you have ever discovered a bad habit and wanted it gone now! Examples:
- Eating too much
- Eating unhealthy foods
- Stress
- Negativity
- Negative self-talk
- Add you rown
In today’s world, we often look for instant gratitude. When we want change, we want it now! We seek a magic wand to make it “all better.” The self-help and self-improvement industry is booming as we seek solution after solution to ease the areas where there is discomfort in our lives.
When we try to hunt down an instant solution to a problem that has grown over time, we might find ourselves frustrated or doubting our ability. We don’t build these bad habits in a day, and nor do remove them in a day. Instead, as Abigail VanBuren writes, “It’s an undo-it-yourself project.” We choose a course of action and take daily steps until we walk out of the bad habit and into the new habit.
Your Turn: Choose a habit that needs some work. Spend twenty minutes today brainstorming small steps you can take to move yourself away from the bad habit and toward the good habit you desire to put in its place.
Today’s Affirmation: I can accomplish anything I set my mind to accomplish
November 20th, 2008 at 5:44 am
It CAN be done. But I feel strongly that we just pick one.
I started a walking program in April, in hopes that I would be able to “beat” my illness with exercise. I am now walking 4-5 miles a day - and one of those, I run. That’s 7+ months of success. I rarely miss a day. But after a couple months, I changed my eating habits(no wheat-partially because of my illness and minimal sugar/sweets). Now I’ve been eating right for 5 months and lost almost 30 pounds. No effort has been more worthwhile. I’m a new person…..well, I’m me but “better”. ; )
So, one at a time, for a minimum of a month, breaks the old habit and forms the new!
Thanks Brook, as always, for your wise advice!
MR/NJ
November 20th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Wow! Good good morning. Thanks Brook. Just what I needed. Been thinking about my overweight … fast foods, too much wrong food, big servings….When I look ahead and think it will take sooo long. ugh! I wil definitely take your advise. Small steps Small steps away from my bad habits.
Have a Good Day
linda
November 20th, 2008 at 7:17 am
while driving to work I thought my bad habit ( my jones has been credit card debt)and thought at first that it was hopeless, then I tried to rationalize it,but I thought again and figured I did not get into this bad habit overnight, and I wasn’t going to be able to change myself over night. I guess I need to be understanding and not so hard on my self. I formulated a kind of pay back plan while driving and when I got into work I put my thoughts and ideas on paper in my journal. Now that I have faced my problem, I may be able to do something about it. I am going to start by freezing my credit cards in water in the back of the freezer and start my journey one step at a time. Will be an interesting journey, but that is what life is about…
November 20th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I use your Good Morning! message every day. I depend on it. It makes me think, even if it is something that does not hit home. It’s my ‘tip for the day’ and I especially love the quotes. Since I’m trying to get my mindset right to quit smoking todays message ‘hits home’ just when I need it. The affirmations helps as well. I’m not one of those people who is good with words so you always give me the words I need to hear. Thanks, Brook, for being there when I need it!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I need to eat less sodium. As a salty snack lover, this is a problem for me but after my recent physical, blood pressure is too high and lowering sodium consumption will help to reduce it. So, your message today was particularly meaningful for me. I like the idea of doing this in small steps not all at once. I do want to quit the snacks NOW but know that it will take some time. Thanks for reminding me that undoing is not a quick fix but a daily relearning of another way to live.
I CAN accomplish anything I set my mind to accomplish!
-Maggie-
November 20th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I love the new Good Mornings, they are great. I have ordered your book and can’t wait until I get it. Your Good Mornings are such an inspiration to begin the day. This morning is just another good reading. We all have bad habits that we have to work on and you given some great points. Thanks for all you do.
ICAN AND WILL accomplish anything I set my mind to accomplish!!! What an inspiring and thought provoking sentence.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:08 am
I REALLY like the new “Good Morning” format! It’s calm, serene, easy to read and focus on. The previous format was too “busy” for my admittedly ADD brain. Thanks for sending me a flower every day!