How to break bad habits
August 26th 2006 10:35
Saw a very short newspaper article recently (can't remember where or by whom). Article was about how to change habits, with recommendations from psychologist Joshua Klapow.
The gist, slightly supplemented and as filtered through my dodgy memory:
-- 1. Set a specific and realistic goal. Don't just say "Exercise". Say "Treadmill from 8am to 8.30 every Monday to Wednesday".
-- 2. Record how you're doing. Create a chart. Monitor progress. (Which, incidentally, was something that Foucault says the Stoics did in their practices of self-cultivation -- diaries of exactly how they spent their time each day.)
-- 3. Change your physical environment. If you want to lose weight, why are there chocolate biscuits in the fridge?
-- 4. Change your social environment. Get a workout buddy, get teachers and mentors. Surround yourself with people who assist and who will hold you accountable. (And, incidentally, there's a tendency for Nobel scientists to have sought out and been trained by Nobel scientists.)
-- 5. Reward yourself when you succeed. Give yourself an ice cream. Condition and motivate yourself.
The gist, slightly supplemented and as filtered through my dodgy memory:
-- 1. Set a specific and realistic goal. Don't just say "Exercise". Say "Treadmill from 8am to 8.30 every Monday to Wednesday".
-- 2. Record how you're doing. Create a chart. Monitor progress. (Which, incidentally, was something that Foucault says the Stoics did in their practices of self-cultivation -- diaries of exactly how they spent their time each day.)
-- 3. Change your physical environment. If you want to lose weight, why are there chocolate biscuits in the fridge?
-- 4. Change your social environment. Get a workout buddy, get teachers and mentors. Surround yourself with people who assist and who will hold you accountable. (And, incidentally, there's a tendency for Nobel scientists to have sought out and been trained by Nobel scientists.)
-- 5. Reward yourself when you succeed. Give yourself an ice cream. Condition and motivate yourself.
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Comment by jon
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Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
There's this motivational speaker called "Chris Howard". I'll probably blog on about him later in the week. But one of his (many) mantras is: "Create a no-fail social environment." So it's the same piece of advice, with a few bells on. Get yourself new friends if necessary. Find people who will guarantee that you succeed.
Comment by JohnDoe
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A bit of self belief goes a long way too.
Comment by Adrian
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I'm using Orble as something like a social pressure, to force me to write.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im also doing reviews for FilmInk magazine for the same reason. Thats a bit nicer though because they send me to screenings.
Bottom line though is you really have to want to change. And I mean passionately with the same desire you have to breath oxygen and drink water.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by Justin
Changes in the social environment and creating associative discourses to supplement this is a great way to alter cognition, then behaviours to substitute what you're doing to what you want is a great way of change.
Btw, well done John.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Now if I could only get those tips to work for me...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Which is simply that you have to want to break them in the first place.
Which is easier said than done. In fact, it might even be paradoxical, and perhaps your wants are ultimately out of your control.