Are you trying to change something that's become a bad habit?  Or start a new, healthy routine? Well, you can...if you follow these steps.

You've gotten in a rut...and you'd like to change a pattern...like relying on the drive-through for lunch each day.

Or maybe your spouse is sick and tired of hearing you cracking your knuckles, neck, or back all day long, but you've been doing that your whole life.

Perhaps you have a bigger goal for the new year like quitting smoking or getting on a work-out schedule.

Let's face it. Getting rid of your security blankets, like comfort food, that comfy couch, or biting your nails, is a huge challenge.

You weren't born doing this stuff...you created it. And you can change it, by breaking the habit loop.

If you can stick with something new (or give something up) for 66 DAYS, you can have success in making a change, by following the steps below.

Though some substances have addictive qualities that makes the habits almost impossible to break, there ARE ways to replace those bad habits with good ones...in 66 days.

Here is a summary of what to do:

Days 1 - 22: Tell everyone you can about your mission to break your habit. And then ask everyone to tell you when you're slipping backwards or not keeping up on your new goal. Tell your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to yell at you, bother you, and constantly remind you. This will add extra pressure on you -- the pressure of disappointing others and going back on your word. And that will make it much harder to go back to your old ways.

Days 22 - 44: Analyze yourself. Do some soul-searching. Why are you doing this? What do you want out of life? Take a good look, and look deep. Get to the heart of why you are doing this and how it's going to affect your life. If you can find that reason buried in your subconscious, it'll make these 66 days much easier because you will have a stronger will to do so.

Days 44 - 66: This is the final push. You could be burned out and tired at this point, and forget why you're doing this. You may find your discipline waning and you could easily revert to your old behavior. So you need to find something to hold onto. Search for the light at the end of the tunnel...even if it's just a glimpse. And hang on.

Days 66+: In order to solidify the change from an old habit to a new and improved one, celebrate it. Throw a party for yourself, shout your success to all that you know, treat yourself to a fancy dinner out...or find your own wonderful way to give yourself a big, giant pat on the back.

For details on this advice, CLICK HERE! Charles Duhigg is the author of "The Power of Habit".

 

 

 

 

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