Sunday, February 7, 2010

Support systems help you succeed in changing your habits.

The three key factors to successfully change your lifestyle are planning, discipline and a support system. You can control the plan and discipline by yourself. Adding the encouragement from an outside support network makes reaching your goals easier.

Who wouldn't want encouragement? Making changes without any help, or even worse, with people who don't believe you can succeed is really difficult. Be cautious of people who only support you if you buy their products, too.

Support people are your cheer-leading team. They offer encouragement, information and feedback. They can be your sounding board for tough decisions. And, since significant change takes time and can have set-backs, they can pick you up when you are down. These are the people who really care if you succeed!

Where do you find these magical people? Look for the people in your life who help you feel:
• Greater self-worth
• Increased zest for living
• Able to act and the ability to act

Enlist their help. Tell them what you are working towards and how they can support you.

Discipline drives successful lifestyle changes.

Discipline is recognizing the need for action followed with immediate and consistent actions. Discipline compels you to put your ability, skills and talent to work.

Although many of us know what we should be doing, there are times that we fail to act promptly. Procrastination delays the necessary action and halts progress.

Six tips that promote discipline:

1. Start with SMART goals. Plan. You'll gain confidence knowing exactly what you should be doing and why.

2. Publically announce your goals. Knowing that others are watching your progress increases your motiation to act responsibly.

3. Get rid of temptation. Replace the routines that led to bad habits with new routines. For example, if you always snack while watching TV, try reading a book. Remove vices such as cigarettes, high-calorie condiments or low-nutrition snacks.

4. Do not debate with yourself about acting promptly.

5. Change your thinking. When you find yourself thinking negatively, replace that thought with a positive thought or mantra.

6. Reward yourself at specific intervals. Small steps get small rewards. Milestones get big rewards.

Discipline takes practice, patience and a willingness to change. Be firm, but kind to yourself during your learning process.