08/02/2012 by Christophe.

’21 days to change a habit’

How often have you tried to stop doing something you don’t want to do anymore?
Or have you tried to start doing something differently or new?
How many times did you start or change the way you did something and end up back where you started?

We all have great intentions and with the New Year coming we’ve already started to think about our resolutions. Generally, it’s all about doing something new or different. It’s interesting to understand why we want to do something or if we think we want to do something. There is an enormous difference between wanting something and thinking we want something. We can wonder how much we’ve been influenced by our surroundings, our family, our friends, our society… so when we choose our resolutions, we have to make sure they are ours.

For example, we think it’s time that we looked after ourselves so we want to spend more time exercising or we want to learn how to eat healthily. We decide to spend more quality time with our family, our friends, or just the people we care about. Or we simply want to enjoy life a little more… whatever the form it takes, it can be at the physical, mental, social, familial or even spiritual level.

So where do we start?

First we decide what we want and NOT what we DON’T want.  

I want to have a stronger back

Then we ask ourselves why is it so important.

Who is saying it is (us or someone else)? What will happen if we do and if we don’t? What will we lose by changing?

It is important because it affects the way I feel, the way I am with the ones I care about. If I don’t do anything, I can imagine that I will get worse and short tempered and if I do, I can imagine that I will be able to do much more when and with whom I want to. The only thing that will change is that I will need to be much more aware of the time to fit it in.

We make ourselves aware of the excuses we might give ourselves not to do what we want so we can diffuse them when they appear.

I often say that I am tired or that this is not the right time or even I will do it tomorrow and I end up doing nothing.
When and where we can spare the time for this new habit.

Choose a regular and specific time (the same day at the same time OR BETTER every day at the same time) to put it in place.  Treat it as you would any other appointment – put it in your diary and just do it!

I can put 15 minutes aside every morning (at least week days) as part of my morning routine, just after breakfast and just before my shower. This normally takes place at 7.45am.

Tell people what you’re doing, and why you’re doing it – let them help to motivate you!

I will tell my partner, my children and my close friends.

And finally, book the first day.

Tomorrow is as good as any other day.

As you begin thinking about these 6 steps, you are probably having a few ideas about what to start doing or to stop doing and how much they can bring so many good things in your everyday life. And after 21 days, you will have developed a new habit and you will be certainly surprised by the impact on the people around you. So you can wait until January to put in place your first resolution or you can just start today.

Enjoy!

Posted in NLP Tips | No Comments »

08/02/2012 by Christophe.

Discover the new tip of the month … Enjoy!

Posted in Tip of the Month | No Comments »