Turning Negative Habits Into Empowering Actions
Published on 19 Dec 2007 at 7:10 am.
10 Comments.
Filed under Feature Articles, Personal Development Strategies.
Last month I was tagged by Daylle Deanna Schwartz of Lessons From A Recovering Doormat to participate in a challenge she was throwing out into the blogosphere. A few days later Gamy Rachel of MindThink Success tagged me to play. Boy, I feel so popular! Thanks!
The Creating Better Habits Challenge is to identify a behavior you wish to improve by creating a better one. Read the challenge and guidelines. I coach people on self-improvement and value personal growth myself so this challenge is right up my alley.
Here are three behaviors I’m working on:
1. I have a habit of getting back online at night after I my work/business hours have ended. As an entrepreneur and business owner, my work hours are my own to schedule and it is not uncommon for me to have a burst of inspiration or energy at 10pm at night. Too many late nights affect my energy and focus in the morning hours and ultimately sabotage my being at my best. To compound my computer habits, I tend to check email too often and get caught up in spending way too much time answering them when I need to put my energies elsewhere AND I have trouble resisting getting online on Sundays which I want to take for myself.
What I know is that it is essential to set time boundaries on checking email, when it’s time to stop working already! and shift my attention to enjoy the personal side of my life! I coach people on this all the time and I confess I do this by choice.
So………………. The better habit is to (gulp) commit to checking my email 3-4 times per day rather than every hour. Close out my office no later than 9pm each night and stay off email or do any work on Sunday unless it is critical. (I need to put that in for specific situations rather than say I will do this forever).
2. Meditation is a great practice I highly recommend. Each day I promise myself I’ll sit quietly with a meditation tape for at least 15 minutes. Some people meditate when they first wake up and I find that time is not conducive for my daily routine. My mind is too active! So, I have found that taking time later afternoon most days really works well for me to be still. I’ve been sabotaging myself by not stopping to fulfill my agreement and, before I know it, my day is drawing to an end. When I’ve tried to meditate before going to bed, I just fall asleep.
Turning this around means saying yes to having this daily practice. I know that when I take time to meditate, my inner chatter calms down, I feel more centered, and less reactive to life situations. I’m going to recommit to daily meditation NOW.
3. Nighttime munching. Oooh - this is a biggy. I’ve added it onto this post to support an intention I am working with (in a month long personal transformation program) to stop eating so much sugar and eating when I’m not really hungry. I want to avoid admitting this and by publicly writing this, I invite your support in changing this habit into a positive.
The change I will begin working with is to eliminate buying any more junk food. I will cease eating anything after 9pm (same time as I promise close out my business day). That’s a start. I don’t want to over-commit and set myself up for more sabotage.
I’ve deliberately challenged myself on these three habits. I have big intentions for 2008 and I want to begin the New Year in a strong space. Join me?
What negative habits are you ready to turn around?
To join me in this challenge, I’m tagging:
Well, going to meditate now. 
Lorraine
www.powerfull-living.biz
Gamy Rachel on 19 Dec 2007 at 11:05 am: 1
Hi there Lorraine,
What do you like to munch on ?
I love to munch on healthy mix nuts with dried fruits, raisins and figs.
Some easy tips here, wonder if it helps
http://www.mindthinksuccess.com/brainwave-technology/7-easy-tips-to-start-your-day-fresh-n-de-stress-too
Blessings
Gamy
Daylle Deanna Schwartz on 19 Dec 2007 at 11:55 am: 2
Hi Lorraine,
Great post! Those are definitely habits to break that many folks can learn from. I relate to the one about sending emails too late at night. I sit in bed watching TV with my laptop to try and catch up, but it makes it harder to fall asleep after. I’m also trying to get into a meditation habit. Never been able to sit still long enough but I just bought a recommended meditation CD to make the effort. Was glad to read what you said as a motivation!
Thanks for participating in my Challenge! Your article is posted on the challenge page.
Daylle
lorraine on 19 Dec 2007 at 12:03 pm: 3
The tips are great Gamy especially #6 on Laughter.
I like how you mentioned going to YouTube and watching videos that make you laugh. I’m going to remember that!
As for snacking, my biggest downfall is sugar especuially chocolate. I need to make the shift to moderation.
Cheers,
Lorraine
lorraine on 19 Dec 2007 at 12:08 pm: 4
Thanks Daylle,
I have found that coming clean about bad habits can be an impetus to change them. Today I begin my commitment do things differently and I know I will feel so much better and my life/business will also flow better.
I like using meditation CD’s from Immrama using brainwave technology to achieve higher levels of thinking and performance:
Focus CD - http://www.immrama.org/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2&idaffiliate=107
Insight - http://www.immrama.org/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1&idaffiliate=107
Insight/Focus set - http://www.immrama.org/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=3&idaffiliate=107
Have a terrific holiday!
Lorraine
Daylle Deanna Schwartz on 19 Dec 2007 at 12:44 pm: 5
Thanks Lorraine! We all talk about how when you write things down, you make more of a commitment. That includes writing on blogs! : ) It sure helps me. I’m going to check out those CDs.
I’m a sugar-lover too. I try to keep it in check by having something sweet every day at a specific time. It’s harder during this holiday season. Something I always have to work hard on. I find sweets that I like, not love, so I don’t go overboard. Yesterday I had many cookies and candies b/c I went to the spa in my building and they have piles of it in bowls. I munched while waiting and took more home. But my self-deal was enjoy the pig-out guilt free and that’s it! So far I’m fine with that.
Have a very blessed holiday!
Daylle
lorraine on 19 Dec 2007 at 4:20 pm: 6
The key is moderation Daylle,
That is something I often find a challenge. I realize it’s something I choose to be sloppy about and I can see this is a process.
That’s why I surround myself with people who challenge me and hold me accountable just as I do for my clients.
Definitely check out the links for the meditation CDs. I really like them and have used them for years. I’m also an affiliate and, people who buy them help me gain some passive revenue.
Have a terrific holiday
Lorraine
Gamy on 19 Dec 2007 at 8:24 pm: 7
Yes, moderation is the key, and I totally agree with you ladies! I always believe that we can eat anything but do it moderately and some planning.
Like.. if I eat some junk food for lunch, I will make sure I will have a proper meal for dinner, likewise if I have some unhealthy oily fried food today, I will make sure the next few days I will avoid them and choose healthier food… and I take supplements everyday.
I am not a total health “nut”.. sometimes I still enjoy chocolates and potatoes chips too. But I always take potatoes chips together with lettuce, it is very refreshing and is a good combo
Wishing You Two lovely
ladies Good Health & Prosperity
Gamy, the lovely one too
Lola Fayemi on 20 Dec 2007 at 12:07 pm: 8
Hey Lorraine
Thanks for the tag and I will do this one in the New Year. Looks like a good one and I must admit I am a bit scared but there are habits I’d like to transform.
Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas and a magical New Year and 2008!
In love, light and abundance x x x
lorraine on 20 Dec 2007 at 3:48 pm: 9
I’m chuckling Lola
I took a few gulps before admitting to some of the ones I posted. The question I ask myself is, “How badly do I want this change? What am I willing to do to make it happen?”
Thanks so much for being in my world and for being such a positive light in the world!
Here’s to an outrageously prosperous and happy 2008!
Love,
Lorraine
Overhauling old limiting habits to transformational success-attracting habits on 7 Jan 2008 at 6:16 am: 10
[...] been tagged by my friend Lorraine Cohen at Powerfull Living to take part in the Creating Better Habits Challenge and how fabulously appropriate for this time [...]