Substituting Unwanted Behaviors for Better Alternatives
Experience-based methodologies to ensure successful behavior change
I have made many changes over the years, including weight loss, smoking cessation, abstinence, diet and exercise, and making anonymous sales calls.
In all these changes, there were obstacles to overcome. Sometimes these obstacles pertained to fear, doubt, lack of belief in my capacity, or self-defeating inhibitions of various kinds that stopped me in my tracks,
These obstacles would sometimes hold me back for a lengthy period only to finally give way to my better judgment. Either I didn’t know how to overcome them, or I lacked the will at the time because of conflict with other agendas, the cost of sacrifices was too high, or my personal inclination was too powerful.
Overall, the context of the changes noted came about because of a determination to transition from a contaminated self to a higher level of self-regard.
Despite our best intentions and strongest ideals, I have found that we often lull ourselves into indifference or neutrality in the face of personal challenges to change.
Cynicism or apathy can victimize us, either out of wishing to maintain our sameness or lacking confidence in our ability to change. Whatever the cause, reluctance, and…
