Get out of your bad habits

One of my favorite quotes (watch out, I have many favorite quotes):

“Habits rule the unreflecting herd.” -Williams Wordsworth

This is so true! Excuses turn into habits. Is it your habit to not pack a nutritious lunch and opt for the microwave lunch instead? Is it your habit to not plan ahead and eat fast food the entire time you’re traveling?

You have to keep your habits from ruling you and you do this by reflecting on your recent past behavior regularly. Doing this will also give you the tools to make yourself healthIER on your own.

Reflect at least once each week. This will only take 5 – maybe 10 – dedicated minutes each week. If you think you don’t have 5 or 10 minutes each week for yourself, here’s my recommendation.

• Grab your phone.
• Go to the bathroom. Feel free to tell anyone who may be looking for you during this time that you’re headed to the bathroom and you’re going to need 10-15 minutes tops in there. Then make a face that says, “Don’t ask. It won’t be pretty.” Guys hide in the bathroom ALL the time by the way.
• Once you’re in the bathroom, set a 5, 10 or 15 minute timer on your phone. Have a seat on the toilet (lid up or down, your choice) and reflect on your past week.
  • See where you got off track – Did you drink too much at happy hour? Did you not pack your lunch and find yourself in a Rotten Ronnie’s drive through at 1pm? Did you not make the time for exercise or any daily physical activity?
  • You’ll see room for improvement on at least one area. I recommend taking 1 or 2 improvements and look at your upcoming week. See where you can make healthIER decisions this week – Could you eat a healthy snack and drink plenty of water before happy hour? Could you pack an apple for your morning snack? Could you bring your walking shoes for a 10-minute walk in the afternoon?
  • Mark in on your calendar with any reminders you may need.

There you have it. Do this every week and within a couple months you’ll have made some drastic changes to your daily habits.

Have a great day!