Real change happens only when it becomes part of our everyday life. When a change becomes a habit, it isn't something new we are trying, but becomes part of what we do as our routine. I was reading a Wynona Judd interview and they asked her about her diet. She replied that she wasn't on a diet; she was on "A Live It." I thought this was great because the risk of a diet or any change is that we won't stick to it. We won't live it. We will simply do it until we get the results we want, or get discouraged, and revert to our old habits. A live it is not something that we are going to do for a short while, but something we will do for a lifetime.
Permanent change comes only when we integrate the change into our lives and form a new habit. Everything we do is habit. From getting up in the morning and brushing our teeth, to the side of the bed we tuck ourselves into at the end of the day. Habits might seem like actions that are hard to add to your life. But, there was a time when taking a bath was not a habit, and as children we might have even tried to get out of taking baths. Other daily habits that we have such as brushing our teeth or eating certain foods all are habits we formed at one time or another. Habits become habits because of repetition. If you do something enough times it will become a habit.
The trick is not to try to change too much all at once. It takes time to form a habit, so pick just one or two things you would like to live, and begin integrating those changes into your life. Focus on just the one or two new changes until they become a habit, or what I refer to as getting it at a cellular level. Once the changes are integrated into your life and you are truly living it, try implementing another change or two. It may not seem like a lot, but if you just created one new habit a year, you would have ten new habits in a ten-year period.
Notice that I am not talking about breaking a habit or getting rid of a habit. I don't believe that is possible. I truly believe we have to replace or change the habit. The universe abhors a void, so we cannot just remove the habit, because it will leave a void and something will need to fill it. If we don't replace the habit with a new one, chances are the old one will return. Creating new habits is simply about deciding what you want more of or less of, and then creating habits that will allow you to achieve that. So instead of going on something or making temporary changes, decide what you want to be different, and live it.
Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com. Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com. True Direction, Inc. Copyright > > > This article along with byline attached may be freely republished < <
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
The most valuable assets of a 20th century company were... Read More
Are you facing a difficult time in your life? Do... Read More
Some time ago I attended a birthday party and met... Read More
One hour here, two hours there, even fifteen minutes, it... Read More
What is an ego? Well, in case you didn't know... Read More
If you do any significant amount of driving, a simple... Read More
At 2pm last Wednesday, I got a call from one... Read More
What do you do when fear shows up? Do you... Read More
I'm almost always a calm and collected person. Or at... Read More
I know what you're thinking? "Here I am, completely stressed... Read More
As a healthy business owner or independent professional, how do... Read More
Not long ago, I made a partnership pitch, on behalf... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 29,... Read More
Technically, there are two types of grief groups. Informational and... Read More
When I was first introduced to the profession of personal... Read More
If you don't have the full support and understanding of... Read More
Perhaps no one better than a former U.S. president has... Read More
Running a business or department can often stretch you to... Read More
Traditionally, mentors volunteer the wisdom of their experiences to help... Read More
I always do a lot of thinking about good intentions... Read More
A journey by a web-footed gull through a sea of... Read More
A new definition of retirement is evolving. It's one that's... Read More
Three steps to your Personal Transformation:Awareness and PerceptionLaw of Cause... Read More
As a therapist, I often suggest to clients that they... Read More
Yes, that pillar of society that has been with us... Read More
Are you looking for someone who will hold you accountable... Read More
I don't know why, but it seems we trip over... Read More
Remember that Coke contest from the 80s? If you collected... Read More
Today an increasing number of us are experiencing burnout, low... Read More
A large percentage of business are stuck, tied to narrow... Read More
Like so many in corporate America today, Susan needed more... Read More
The effective coaching of employees by their line managers is... Read More
Do you often get yourself upset and feeling less than... Read More
Have you ever known anyone who asked themselves "Why me?"... Read More
An age old battle in improv that I believe resonates... Read More
If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More
There is one important point that is often missed in... Read More
In my speaking engagements I have often compared coaching today... Read More
A coach is an essential figure in providing direction and... Read More
There are things that we do automatically internally that we... Read More
There is a Buddhist saying that goes like this: "If... Read More
There are 2 key skills that coaches need to be... Read More
"Stop and smell the roses," people often say. Then they... Read More
With life coaching becoming "the" career choice in this millennium,... Read More
It started out like any other Wednesday - reports to... Read More
If you need to put on boots and grab a... Read More
Do you realise that if you're green you're growing and... Read More
"The latter part of a wise man's life," said Jonathan... Read More
To keep at the top of your game you have... Read More
Have you ever laid in bed trying to fall asleep,... Read More
I hope you are sitting down as you read this!... Read More
How would you like to get along even better with... Read More
I have watched for a couple years now, as my... Read More
Three years ago, Paul left his corporate job to launch... Read More
I was asked the other day : "Kate, is personality... Read More
We have all heard the expression, "Where your heart is?,... Read More
WORDS THAT INSPIREA monthly quick shot to motivate you, in... Read More
Sound familiar? If you want to manage anger, the only... Read More
Improve Your Life! How to Hire A Coach.A reader writes,... Read More
H. Jackson Brown Jr. once wrote, Your mind can only... Read More
Who is the Best Coach For Achieving Your Goals?A friend... Read More
How are you progressing with the goals you set yourself... Read More
Recently at a Pharmaceutical meeting in Europe, one of the... Read More
During my 35 years of counseling individuals, couples, families and... Read More
The idea for this month's newsletter came from an unlikely... Read More
I turned 29 last week, and if statistics are right... Read More
Coaching |