Ten Mistakes in Behaviour Change

Post Reply New Topic

1. Relying on willpower for long-term change

- Imagine willpower doesn't exist.

2. Attempting big leaps instead of baby steps

- Seek tiny successes, one after another

3. Ignoring how environment shapes behaviors

- Change your life and change your context

4. Trying to stop old behaviors instead of creating new ones

- Focus on action, not avoidance

5. Blaming failures of lack of motivation

- Make the behavior easier to do

6. Underestimating the power of triggers

- No behavior happens without a trigger

7. Believing information leads to action

- We humans aren't so rational

8. Focusing on abstract goals more than concrete behaviors

- Abstract: Get in shape. Concrete: Walk 15 min. today

9. Seeking to changea behavior forever, not for a short time

- A fixed period works better than "forever"

10. Assuming that behavior change is difficult.

- Behavior change is not so hard when you have the right process

Good thoughts. It is more complicated than that, but you have to start somewhere. Everything has a beginning.

I could have posted that two years ago, in September.

Many good points. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for that. i really enjoyed readig it, now i dont feel so bad that i'm a alcoholic

I made literally every single one of those mistakes when I decided to get back into shape in my 30's. In my 20's, being in shape took no effort and no conscious decisions. Such is the blessing of youth. Then I got caught up in the routines of adulthood and fell out of shape. It took me somewhere between 2 and 3 years to slog through all those mistakes and get on a healthier path.

dark sense of humour, there.

is the best kind. being good is most certainly overrated,

Yes, very good list.

"Just For Today"-

*Just for today: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overhwhelm me if i had to keep it up for a lifetime.
*Just for today: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
*Just for today: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that i can correct and accept those I cannot.
*Just for today: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
*Just for today: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.
*Just for today: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.
*Just for today: I will something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully - if only *just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.
*Just for today: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

The beauty of "just for today" is that you don't have to do the whole ball of wax, you can start on just one of 'em and work your way up from there. And it is just for today, as tomorrow is just another [to]day.

I like just for today

If we all just did positive things just for today everyday, what a world we'd have.

yeah, we need to start a new religion or faith, we could call it "the church of today."