February 2008
A New Way to Change an Old Habit
This time of year tends to inspire most of us to make changes and to improve ourselves in some way. The problem is that our natural tendency when it comes to goals and desires is to be too hard on ourselves. Let’s say, for example, you are fed up with wasting time looking for lost files and papers in your office. You vow to be neater and thus promise yourself that you are going to clear your desk every day before you leave work. You militantly force yourself to comply for a week or two, but four weeks later you realize you have completely reverted to your old ways.
Watch What You Promise Yourself. The interesting thing about setting goals and making vows to change our habits is that somehow the feelings we have about ourselves get tied up in our achievement of or failure to achieve the self-imposed goals. Suddenly the messy desk makes you feel bad about yourself, even if you have never cared about a clean desk before. Since we cannot readily change this mysterious aspect of ourselves it might be better to set truly attainable goals and get some measure of success before promising the higher level of achievement or discipline.
Setting the Bar Low Increases Chances of Success. The next time you want to make a change be sure to set the goal low enough to insure success at the start. Using the desk example, tell yourself that by Friday each week you will clear off your desk. Print out a calendar and track your progress by crossing out each Friday that you succeed. Make a point of being especially nice to yourself regarding this change—encourage yourself and cheer yourself on. You might be surprised to see many old habits fall away under the new regime.
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Prepared exclusively for clients of Brenda Abdilla and Management Momentum
