This video is sponsored by Squarespace
Building habits isn't necessarily the easiest task to accomplish.
Ok, sure!
Occasionally a new habit will stick relatively quickly.
But not all of them do.
Sometimes it requires us to dedicate additional focus and effort to make it over that hump
of building a new habit.
Maybe we're just not trying hard enough, or maybe our spirit is already filled to the
brim with bad habits, that it makes it very difficult to add anything new until we declutter
the old.
Here's a 3 step process to help you break up with bad habits so you can explore new
habits and rebuild your life.
Step one is to map out your habit loop, and I know it sounds complicated but I promise
it's much easier to do than you think.
The only real talent you need is the skill of self-observation.
Here's how it works.
Let's say for example, that you are trying to break the bad habit of being negative.
Now maybe your specific bad habit is something different, that's ok.
I'm simply illustrating how these steps work so if you're working through this exercise
in real-time, then replace "being negative" with your specific bad habit.
However, for my example, let's assume your bad habit is "being negative."
Ok, after we identify one bad habit we're looking to break, now we have to use our skill
of self-observation and identify any and all feelings, actions, and emotions that trigger
this bad habit for us.
And these "triggers" are what we're calling the "habit loop"—feelings, actions, and
emotions that are surrounding a particularly bad habit like a circle or loop if we were
to draw this on a piece of paper.
So continuing with our example of being negative, some of our triggers may include: feeling
hurt or trying to avoid feeling a particular emotion; Are we experiencing low self-esteem?
How about sadness?
Or maybe we're reflecting what someone else in our life is doing.
Now this list may be short or long depending on the bad habit you're trying to break and
the triggers associated with it in your life.
Again this is just an example I am giving.
Alright, now that we've mapped out our habit loop and understand what triggers a particular
bad habit for us.
Step two is all about taking our actions and linking them to outcomes.
Outcomes, meaning, how do we feel mentally, emotionally, and or physically every time
we partake in this particular bad habit.
Again going back to our example of being negative.
In this situation, the goal is to ask ourselves questions like: how do I feel when I'm being
negative?
How are my actions impacting those around me?
Am I pushing others away?
Am I losing sight of what creates happiness and joy in my life?
Remember your answers to these questions.
Write them down in your journal; or stick a reminder on your refrigerator; create a
wallpaper for your phone; whatever works for you.
Just find a way to keep this top of mind because it's going to play a vital role during the
final step on this journey.
But before I share what that final step is, I'd love for you to comment below three things:
1.
What bad habit you're trying to break in your life?
2.
Whether or not you're enjoying this video so far?
and 3.
If you're familiar at all with Squarespace?
Seriously, comment below and let me know.
I'll also share a few bad habits I've struggled with personally in the comment section as
well.
And for those not familiar with Squarespace, they're an all-in-one platform to help you
build a beautiful online presence.
Everything from blogging to building an online store, or creating a portfolio to share your
work.
Now you're probably wondering how does this help me break bad habits.
Well, let's assume for a second that your bad habit is procrastinating.
And you've avoided starting your business or turning your journal into a blog or a resource
for others when you know you have something valuable and unique to share.
Why not take that next step and replace that bad habit with action and finally press that
publish button with ease.
See personally I've been using Squarespace since 2016 and I haven't looked back.
If you're interested in finally pressing that publishing button and building a website of
your own, then definitely check out squarespace.com for a free trial and when you're ready to
launch.
Go to squarespace.com/ronaldlbanks to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or
domain.
I'll leave a link to that in the description below.
Ok, the third and final step in this process is replacing the habits you don't want with
the habits you do want.
Sounds like common sense, I know, but it requires a bit of work upfront that we just did in
steps one and two.
Now really quick, I'm proud of you if you've made it this far into the video.
It shows that you're serious about breaking bad habits in your life and because of that,
I have a special download for you.
No email required.
If you scroll to the button of the description, below this video you'll find a special link
where you can download a recap of today's video.
This document is accessible on your phone or computer and it highlights the three steps
we're talking about in this video as well as some additional tidbits that I'm certain
you'll find value in as well.
Use this as a reminder every time you prepare to break bad habits in your life or use it
as an opportunity to tell your friends and family about the value you're receiving from
this channel and in this community.
Alright, let's break down this final third step a little bit further before I get out
of your hair.
As I mentioned the work we did in steps one and two are going to help tremendously with
this final step.
See in order to replace your bad habits with positive habits, you have to use your triggers
from step one and the outcomes you determined in step two as motivation and fuel.
This means questioning every action you take to ensure that it is directing your life down
a path that's the opposite of being negative, or procrastinating, or whatever bad habit
you're trying to break personally.
Do this by highlighting the feelings you want to feel or the outcomes you desire to create
because of your actions.
Remember, your habits, shape your life more than you realize.
Hit that subscribe button if you haven't already.
Keep growing on your journey.
Always stay true to you, and I'll see you in the next one.
Peace!