From Bad to Fab: Understanding the Power of Habit

​Habits have the power to either run or ruin our lives. Whether you want to transform bad habits or develop new, empowering habits, understanding the power of habit can free you from wasting energy and help you embrace productivity.

Let's make that shift towards positive change!

Identify your Negative Patterns

Our every thought and action is either helping us or holding us back. 

To break free from being held back by negative patterns, look at your habits and become more self-aware of the unhealthy behaviours that hinder you.

Here are some examples of negative patterns to be mindful of:

1. Procrastination: Putting off your tasks or responsibilities can increase stress and lower productivity.
2. Negative self-talk: Engaging in constant self-criticism, doubt, or negative beliefs about oneself, which can impact self-esteem.
3. Perfectionism: Setting excessively high standards for oneself and feeling constant dissatisfaction or fear of failure, which can prevent taking action and lead to overwhelm.
4. People-pleasing: Putting others' wants and needs above your own, often at the expense of personal boundaries and self-care.
5. Self-sabotage: Engaging in behaviours that undermine one's success or well-being, such as procrastinating, making excuses, or engaging in self-destructive habits.
6. Overworking/Workaholism: Prioritising work above all else, neglecting self-care, personal relationships, and overall well-being, which can lead to burnout and negatively impact physical and mental health.

Remember, every small step towards breaking free from destructive behaviours is a step closer to a happier and more fulfilling life. 

How to break free from negative patterns

Identifying negative patterns is a vital first step, but here are some additional tips to help break those patterns:

1. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones: Challenge negative self-talk, practice affirmations and focus on your strengths and achievements.

2. Set realistic goals: Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. 

3. Establish healthy boundaries: Say no when necessary and prioritise self-care. Setting clear boundaries helps protect your time, energy, and overall well-being.

4. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Accept that everyone makes mistakes and use them as learning opportunities.

5. Surround yourself with positivity: Surround yourself with supportive and uplifting people who encourage your growth. Engage in activities that bring you joy and positivity, such as hobbies, exercise, or spending time in nature.

6. Seek support: Get support from friends, family, or professionals if needed. Sharing your struggles and seeking guidance can provide valuable insights and help you break free from negative patterns.

Breaking negative patterns does take time and effort, but with persistence and a positive mindset, you can create lasting positive change.

How Your Brain Works and Why It's Possible to Change

Understanding the science behind habit formation can help you create lasting positive changes.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to rewire, form new habits and break old patterns. Our brains can change and adapt throughout our lives. 

If you want to form new neural pathways, it is necessary to develop new habits. The more we repeat a behaviour, the stronger those connections in the brain become. Imagine a track that gradually transforms into a road. That's what repetition does to the neural connections in our brains. 

You could also improve your habits by nourishing your brain with neurotropic herbs like Lions Mane Mushroom. Lion's Mane Mushroom enhances neuroplasticity, allowing for easier formation of new neural pathways and the growth of new neurons associated with learning and memory. It also helps reduce anxiety and depressive behaviours. As always, it's advisable to consult a health professional before incorporating any new supplement into your routine.

(Use this code to get $20 OFF tonic herbs, including Lions Mane Mushroom.)

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Create a New Habit Loop!

The habit loop is how our habits form. 
It consists of three components: cue, routine, and reward. 

By identifying these elements, we can understand the nature of our habits and how to change them.

Cues, routines, and rewards are thoroughly explained by Charles Duhigg in his groundbreaking book "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business."

The cue - is a trigger that sets off a chain reaction in our brain. Cues can be external stimuli or internal thoughts and emotions that prompt us to take action. They act as a signal for our subconscious mind to initiate a routine.

The routine - the actual behaviour or action we engage in. Creating a pattern involves repeating what we do until it becomes a habit. By consistently performing a specific routine, we reinforce neural pathways in our brain, making it easier to do what feels right without much conscious effort.

The reward - is the well-deserved positive reinforcement that follows completing the routine. Rewards incentivise our brains to continue repeating positive behaviours.

Build a positive habit loop that will propel you towards long-term results! 

It's this cycle of cue-routine-reward that forms the foundation of habit formation.
Understanding these components allows us to take control and change things. 

1. Identify the cues that trigger undesirable habits and consciously replace them with signals that prompt good habits instead. 
2. Design routines that align with your goals. Consistently reinforce behaviours that lead to achievement. Repeat actions that are good for you until they become a habit. 
3. Reward yourself at their completion. Reinforcing positive behaviours through praise, rewards, or even just a simple "well done" creates a cycle of motivation that keeps you going strong. 

Remember: cues ignite action, routines create consistency, and rewards fuel motivation.

Harness "the power of habit" and start forming new positive habits today! 
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Embrace the Power of Habit and Change Your Life! 

In conclusion, embracing the power of habit can absolutely change your life for the better. 

Identify the cues that trigger your behaviours, establish a routine that aligns with your goals, and reward yourself for good practices. This combination of cue, repetition, and reward will help you create new habits and break free from old ones.

Remember, change doesn't happen overnight. It takes time and effort to rewire our brains and establish new patterns. But with persistence and a belief in the power of habit, you can transform your life in ways you never thought possible.

So don't be afraid to make change happen. Embrace good habits, harness their power, and watch your life unfold in ways you've always dreamed of!


Photo by Madison Oren on Unsplash


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