| STEP 1: | DEFINE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF.
(Specify EXACTLY what you have been putting off) |
| STEP 2: | DEFINE THE ONE UNSATISFACTORY HABIT WHICH
STANDS IN YOUR WAY. Specify EXACTLY the one unuseful habit, which if you let go of it today, would clear up the most time (television, computer, phone?) Admit to yourself what activity you have been engaging in that has been most responsible for eating up time while offering little or no rewards. |
| STEP 3: | WHAT WILL YOU DO INSTEAD?
It is critical not only to stop a self-defeating habit, but to replace it with a more compelling alternative (eg: Instead of watching reruns, I will____ (Fill in the blank) |
| STEP 4: | WHAT RESOURCES WILL YOU NEED?
Who do you know who has overcome this? How can family or friends help? Do you need a physical? Is there an easier way to do whatever you have been putting off? Can you begin by working for 5 minutes on one thing? You'll be amazed to find that almost all of the resistance is embedded in the first 5 minutes. Think of it as only 5 minutes. You could start during commercials. |
| STEP 5: | HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF.
A) Write down at least 5 GOOD reasons to stop this habit for good. Do you want to be this way in 10 years? Do you want to be back in charge of your life? Prepare impact statements listing what this is costing you in terms of self-esteem, relationships, love, money, freedom and security. B) Write down at least 5 REAL BENEFITS of changing. Dig deep to find
the part of you that understands it is during times like this your potential
for growth is at it's absolute maximum. Strike while the iron is hot!.
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| STEP 6: | WHAT HAS BEEN THE PAY-OFF FOR MAINTAINING
THE OLD PATTERN? What did you gain from the old habit? Comfort? Security? Control? Brainstorm ways to actually create more of that in your life with your new pattern, and make sure you keep any promises you make to yourself. |
| STEP 7: | MAKE THE OLD HABIT MORE TROUBLE THAN
IT'S WORTH. Brainstorm ways to make the old pattern of behavior very difficult or impossible to do. Give someone you trust a hundred dollar check in a sealed envelope addressed to someone you can't stand. Maybe a few seperate envelopes with checks. Tell them that if you haven't done "X" by a certain time, they are to drop that into the nearest mailbox. If you still procrastinate, they will continue to mail out checks until you get moving. |