Why is a bad habit so hard to break? In answering the
question, think about all the forces that influence our behavior. Countless factors
associated with the environment, our learning history, and our physiology
combine to shape how we behave. Together, they maintain a resilient state of
equilibrium that compels us to do the same things again and again. Disrupting
that equilibrium is exceedingly difficult, and the larger the change we try to
make, the more disruption is required. This is why baby steps are so essential
to successful behavior change. The complex system that regulates our behavior
will absorb a small change, but a more radical shift simply won’t be tolerated.
So this raises an interesting question. Can small changes
make a big impact on the quality of our lives? After all, often the distance
between where we are and where we want to be is considerable. How far can we
really expect to get with baby steps? To answer that question, I’ve decided to
conduct an experiment over the next 12 months. I’ll set three long-term goals,
one professional, one personal, and one health-related. Each month, I’ll build
one new habit for each of the three goals. I’ll report on my progress here, and
after 12 months, we’ll see how far I’ve managed to get. Here are my long-term
goals and the habits that I’ll build during the first month:
Long-Term Goals
` 1. Become a better listener at work
2. Devote more time and energy to my family
3. Lower my cholesterol
Month 1 Habits to
Build
1.
Listen better during meetings at work
2.
Call my parents twice a week
3. Eat
5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
For each
goal, I’ll try to build 12 new habits over the course of the next year. Stay
tuned and I’ll let you know how things are going…
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