Stop unproductive habits preventing you from achieving your goals

Set yourself a goal lately only to find bad habits have undone any success you have achieved? Find yourself repeating the same unproductive habits, even though you know that they are not helping you? Have you ever tried to change them only to find that you always end up back where you started?

This is very common, and is a result of a psychological principle known as conditioning. When some behaviour we undertake provides us with a benefit, or when it takes away something negative we are more likely to continue the behaviour. All of the behaviours that we regularly undertake are providing us with some form of reinforcement. 

For example, we may continue to eat unhealthy food because it provides us with pleasure. Or we may decide to exercise because it makes us feel healthier.

Habits can be very difficult to change as these are behaviours that are continually reinforced. If we try to change these behaviours it can be very difficult to do. The reinforcement we receive from them is a very powerful motivator to continue the habit.

The great news is that you can use conditioning to your advantage:

1.List your unproductive habits 

If you have struggled to overcome these, try to identify how this habit is providing reinforcement. Does it take away stress? Does it make you feel better temporarily? Quite often the habit will provide short term relief, but will be harming your future. Once you have listed these, also think about when you are most likely to engage in them, and be aware of this so you can actively recognise when you’re doing them.

2. Are there any substitute activities that can provide that reinforcement?

For example if you are engaging in an unproductive behaviour to reduce stress, think of some more productive ways of reducing stress such as meditation or going for a walk, instead of sitting in front of the TV for hours and hours.

3. Identify what sort of habits would be more productive for you.

How can you provide reinforcement through this habit? For example, think of small rewards that you can give yourself for engaging in your new habit. Your new habit will be easier to establish if you receive immediate benefits from it.

One of the most difficult challenges we face is overcoming our desire for immediate gratification in order to secure our future. By utilising the power of reinforcement you will find it much easier to engage in activities that will actively secure your future.