I have good news for you.  You can replace negative, perhaps destructive, behaviors with positive ones.  How?  The first step is always a desire to change. And then comes the work. 

To change behavior you must first know what the behavior is and understand what role it plays in your life.  What does this mean?  It means you must observe yourself, take a look at how you are and how you act.  This is not meant to be a harsh, judgmental process – you may have good and very valid reasons for the behaviors that characterize your life.  But it may be that these patterns no longer serve you.

 

The process begins with self-evaluation and reflection.  Here are a few questions to get you started:

–             How similar are your behaviors to those of your parents or significant (childhood) adults?  You may be unconsciously following their eating styles, exercise patterns and life habits.  For the behaviors you have adopted ask are these behaviors healthful or damaging?

–             What changes do you want to make in your life?

–             What would you like to do that you are not currently doing?  In other words, a year from now what will you regret not having started or changed today?

–             What challenges are you willing to face?

–             What resources do you need to cultivate?

–             Who are your role models?  What can you learn from them?

Here’s what is important about taking the time to think about and write down your reflections and insights:  history typically repeats itself.  If you don’t take the time to review your behavior, review your goals and learn from your past you may find it very difficult to conquer and move past old behaviors for the future.