Changing Habits: Change your routine

Have you ever heard the phrase… “If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got”? Simply put, if you want the same outcome then keep the same routine. If you want a different outcome, then change your routine.

Changing your habits to be the best version of you means you need to change your routine by Incorporating more of the things that will get you closer to your goal and less of the things that result in you being stuck in an unhappy situation.

Change your routine by getting up a little earlier each morning to fit in more exercise, or simply reduce stress by not having to rush in the morning. Or spend more time shopping and preparing meals ahead of time so you can eat better and not reach for the fastest and easiest option. Take a different route to work… even better try a different transport type in order to see more of your local area.

Making any change to your routine, either a small change or a big one, can help enormously in your quest to changing your habits to become the best version of you.  

Small changes equals big results

One of the biggest barriers to changing habits is the commitment to it and the consistent action we take towards it. It can be easy to say to ourselves, “I am going to get up earlier” or “I am going to exercise more”. But it can be much harder to actually put these changes into effect and even harder again to take action consistently in order for them to become a habit.

This is especially true if the change we are wanting to make is a drastic change, a long-held habit or a change that results in us extending ourselves far beyond our comfort zone.

My suggestion to anyone struggling to change habits for the better is to make small changes and gradually work your way up to the big change you are wanting to make. Making smaller changes over big ones will increase the likelihood of the habit becoming ingrained into your life.  

Changing Habits: Set yourself up for success

Changing habits is not an easy feat, so for a better chance of forming new habits and having them stick it’s important to set yourself up for success. This means making a conscious effort to prepare yourself physically and mentally with every intention of taking action on a consistent basis.

This can be as simple as laying out your workout gear the night before so you can get up and get straight into exercise in the morning. Or stocking the fridge with healthy food options and removing any temptations before embarking on a new diet.

It also means being clear to those around you about your intentions to change your habits so they can support you in your efforts.

Self-sabotage is one of the biggest barriers to changing habits. Overcoming this requires thought and planning ahead of time so you are giving yourself every chance of success.  

Turn off auto pilot and become more conscious in your decision making

If you want to change your habits, you need to turn off autopilot. Autopilot is the very foundation of all our habits. We often don’t think about what we are doing we just do it. This is great if that’s what you want to get done and you are powering through your work and your day. Not so good if what you are doing is nowhere near what you want to do or achieve.

We hit the snooze button on autopilot. We grab the same groceries from the store on autopilot. We find ourselves doing the same thing, day in and day out on autopilot until one day we become fully conscious of where we are in life and realise we are nowhere near where we want to be.

In order to completely change your habits and be the best version of you, you need to switch off autopilot, be fully conscious and be present in your decision making.

Changing Habits: Stop overthinking and just do

How many times have you found yourself overthinking? I guarantee it’s more times than you realise. Overthinking means that you are spending more time thinking about something than you should. And overthinking can be very dangerous for changing habits. This is especially true if you are in the process of incorporating a new habit into your routine.

When you are overthinking, you are either trying to talk yourself into something or trying to talk yourself out of something. And if you are at that point, you are most likely not fully committed to change.

If you have already set the intention to create a new habit and have carried out this habit a few times, overthinking can sabotage all your hard work and if you are not careful you can quickly find yourself back in your old ways.

Mel Robbins from the 5 second rule, gives a perfect example of overthinking in her short clip below on outsmarting your brain…

Recognising when you are overthinking and shutting down those thoughts with quick decisions and action can help to overcome the habit of overthinking. Just like Mel, give yourself 5 seconds to make a decision and take action.

While these strategies can certainly help when it comes to changing habits to be the best version of you, it can be hard to do it alone. Working with a coach/counsellor can make all the difference and help you dive deep into these strategies to create lasting change. 

My services, which incorporates both counselling and coaching, will provide you with strategies designed for you and your personal situation, along with ongoing support until your new habits are ingrained and you are well on the path to your best life. Book a call today and we can discuss your situation and devise a strong actionable plan to have you on the fast track to being your best you!