Before you can genuinely change negative behaviors, you have to understand there is a cycle of change. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that what we see happening on the surface is the whole story. We may look at our lives and think that our struggles and setbacks are simply the results of bad luck or a lack of effort. But the truth is, there are underlying factors and motivations driving our actions and behaviors that we may not even be aware of. The process of building a healthy habit depends on diving deeper into ourselves and determining the underlying behaviors and actions preventing a new habit forming.
This can make it incredibly difficult to understand why we do the things we do and why we struggle to change our habits. But by taking a deeper look at our behavior and the cycle of change, we can see the bigger picture and understand the root of our actions.
Dive deeper into your cycle of change.
One way to do this is to think about behavior in terms of layers. Every behavior is connected to other behaviors, and understanding these connections can help us understand why we do things. For example, if we’re trying to change our diet, it’s essential to look at not just the food we’re eating but also the emotions and thoughts that drive us to make certain choices. This could include things like stress, boredom, or a lack of self-worth.
Healthy habit forming is a process.
Another important aspect of understanding behavior is recognizing the role of habit. But by understanding the triggers and rewards that keep a habit in place, we can start to identify ways to break the cycle and initiate a cycle of change. Before developing a healthy habit, you must first break the negative habits preventing new ones from forming.
Don’t fall into the trap of linear processes.
It’s also important to remember that change is a cycle, not a linear process. We may stumble and fall back to our old patterns, but that doesn’t mean we’re failures. It’s part of the journey. Instead of getting discouraged, we should have a process in place to help us stay on track and keep moving forward. This could include setting specific, measurable goals, finding accountability partners, or working with a therapist or coach.
Where does the cycle begin?
But perhaps the most important thing to remember is that change starts with self-awareness and self-compassion. It’s easy to beat ourselves up for not being able to change as quickly as we would like to, but change is a process. Understanding the root of our behavior and making lasting changes takes time and effort.
It’s also important to remember that change is not just about achieving specific goals but also about understanding and accepting ourselves. We all have different strengths, weaknesses, and unique experiences that shape who we are. By understanding and accepting ourselves, we can better understand our behavior and make positive changes in our lives and succeed in a desired habit forming
The Takeaway: Embracing lasting change through awareness.
In summary, understanding what’s happening in our lives and behaviors is a challenging but worthwhile endeavor. By looking at behavior in terms of layers, recognizing the role of habit, and having a process in place, we can start to see the bigger picture and make lasting change. Remember, there is a cycle of change and it is not a linear process. Stumbles are part of the journey. But with perseverance, patience, and self-compassion, we can overcome our old patterns and create the life we truly desire. We are capable of so much more than we think, and by digging deeper, we can uncover our true potential.
