Overcoming Bad Habits; The Steps [Part 1]

Many people have formed habits over time which may not be entirely wrong because there are also good and useful habits. However, there are times when someone can see themself forming a habit that is not welcomed or that is outrightly bad. A lot of these bad habits started off as little actions and when they got repeated over and again, they became habitual and have now become part of the person. The truth is that overcoming or breaking free from a bad habit is not easy but it is doable. Here, we shall take a look at steps to employ in order to overcome bad habits.

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1. Come to terms with the bad habit

Trying to live in denial of the habit makes it impossible to be overcome. No one can solve any problem until the person has identified the problem first. Just like when you are making your school research project, there is what is called "statement of problem". In the same way, in life, to solve problems that relate to bad habits, one needs to identify the bad habit that they want to solve.

Anyone with an obvious bad habit but does not know that they have a bad habit will not make any attempt to overcome it and they may live with it for the rest of their lives. So you see, in order for one to put up a fight against bad habits, it is important for one to accept the fact that the bad habit exists. There is no point living in self-denial of the obvious. In a boxing ring for example, no competitor wins the match by punching the air but by targeting the opponent and delivering their punches. Similarly, you can only overcome the bad habit that you have identified.

2. Identifies what triggers the bad habit

Before an action becomes habitual, there are usually things that trigger it. For example, someone may find out that when they go to certain places, they tend to exhibit some kinds of behaviours that may not be wholesome. After you have identified the bad habit, the next step is to find out what normally makes or propels you towards the habit. Until you have identified the triggers, you may keep repeating it and still falling into the bad habit. Triggers can include what you watch or listen to. For example, if when you expose yourself to certain media contents, it may trigger certain bad actions, then you should try to avoid such actions.

You will agree with me that you cannot play under the rain and not get yourself drenched with the water. In the same way, when you keep embracing what triggers your bad habit, you will see yourself repeating it over and again. You need to employ a level of discipline to be able to say "no" to the things that create the desire in you to do bad things.

3. Be busy with something

More often than not, when someone is idle, his mind will begin to wander around and conceive unimaginable things. You will be surprised what the human mind is capable of when it is left unguarded. This is the reason it has been said that "an idle mind is the workshop of bad things." When you stay idle, a lot of things might be running through your mind and when you give in to them, they might lead you to acting unwholesomely. In the same way, to be able to overcome a had habit, you need to be able to keep yourself distracted from what causes the habit. That is, be busy.

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There are times that you will see yourself not doing certain bad things, not because you did not want to but because you were distracted from them. There are many things to distract yourself with: you can take up a hobby, go for outings, movies, or even a book. Furthermore, if you feel staying alone will help to empower your bad habit, you can choose to be in the company of people - good friends that will help you to break free from your bad habit.

Thanks for reading