We have all tried to use quick fix solutions to help us move away from certain problems at some point in our life.
Take a "Diet" for example. When you get to the point where you want to lose weight NOW, a "Diet" seems like the best quick fix option. Unfortunately, this option won't last!
The first few weeks of a diet can be exciting. You see results so you're feeling more and more motivated to keep going but the thing is with Diets, it's so easy to fall off the wagon and go straight back to what you were doing initially.
Firstly, know that your habits can be controlled by two things. Your desire to either move away from pain, or move towards pleasure.
Have a think about what is currently driving you. What actions do you currently take to move either away from or towards those emotions?
What causes you to:
Emotionally eat? Drink Alcohol? Not eat? Lay on the couch?
If you're current habits are detrimental to your health, what habits could you adopt instead that will fulfil those same emotions?
There's 3 key steps that will help you create Lasting Change and ultimately Long Term Results.
1. GET LEVERAGE.
Create leverage around how you feel now compared to how you want to feel. This is going to be key for you to stay motivated and on track to hit your goals. Associate that failing to change now equals massive and immediate levels of pain. Make yourself so uncomfortable with your current habits or how you are currently feeling that you have no other option but to change. And think about the consequences of not changing. What will that bring to your life?
Conversely, have a think about the change you want to make. What impact is the change going to have on your life? How will it make you feel once you have successfully changed and achieved the goal? How will your life be different once you have changed the habit or achieved the goal? Associate making the change to extraordinary levels of pleasure and positivity in your life.
2. INTERUPT OR ANIHILATE THE LIMITING PATTERN
Ask yourself better questions and you will get better answers/solutions. If you communicate to yourself in a negative manner, you will come up with all sorts of negative reasons as to why you can't achieve. Instead of saying to yourself "I can't do that" ask yourself "How can I?" By asking yourself a positive question, you're much more likely to come up with a positive answer or a solution to your problem.
What other limiting patterns stand in your way, preventing you from achieving your goals? Have a think about what they could be.
Are the limiting patterns triggered from wanting to move away from pain?
Once you have recognised these limiting patterns, it's a fantastic step towards achieving lasting change and it's time to move to the next stage….
3. CREATE A NEW ALTERNATIVE PATTERN & REINFORCE IT UNTIL IT'S A HABIT
Now that you recognise what your limiting patterns are and you recognise the triggers, you can replace the old habit with the new. My suggestion is to come up with a list of hobbies that aren't detrimental to your health but will also help you to move away from pain or towards pleasure. So instead of eating foods high in sugar/fat or having a few drinks to settle down after a big day at work, what else could you do?
The options are endless and the choice is yours. Whatever activity you choose, make sure you enjoy it!
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
