Letting go of bad habits can be very uncomfortable. I have a side of me that procrastinates when dealing with any form of conflict. At times, I even employed the magical thinking that if I wait long enough, the problem will simply…go away. I catch myself constantly dealing with the bad habit of avoidance, especially as I get older. The worse habit I can think of is indulging fear–letting it paralyze you from creating any sort of change.
For our To Do list this week, I’d like us to work on fixing three of our bad habits, while also acknowledging and nurturing three of our good ones.
Three of my bad habits:
- Avoidance
- Short attention span (I need to work on paying attention. I always find myself thinking ahead instead of being in the moment.)
- Getting bored easily (This is part of being an addict–wanting constant stimulation. I also need to work on enjoying the down moments.)
Three of my good habits:
- Writing my blog every morning (I enjoy this because I feel like we get to share our good and not so good stuff with each other without any judgments.)
- I LOVE making money, but growing my business and being true to my brand and myself was (and is) always more important.
- Not drinking or taking drugs (20 years of sobriety. Now, I am just a workout addict.)
The only thing I can say about habits is that they are comforting. You grow to like them, and they grow to like you. The work that involves breaking a bad habit or starting a good one is very simple: action. However, you first need to describe what that habit is. Please share with me, (business or personal) a few of your good habits and a few of your bad habits.
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
annjae
July 19, 2010
hi ^^ my bad habits
1. not go-ahead ( i’m alaways think think think about something)
2. love eat food….(so i need to diet,but i can’t control a food)
my good habits
1. very kindly ( customers, friends, everyone’s LOL)
2. hardworking
3. love my way my job
Paula
July 19, 2010
Good Habits – Always open to perspective of others and I believe teams can produce brilliant results, work at constant self-improvement.
Bad Habit – Over think everything which results in less action therefore change is slow. Hate conflict and I too avoid it. Sometimes I am too nice for my own good and I really hate to hurt a persons feelings.
PLC
July 19, 2010
Bad Habits:
My bad habits are many, but I am working on them. I am way to hard on myself, because I expect perfection.
Good habits:
Becoming a vegetarian last year.
I quit smoking 5 years ago.
I limit the amount of sugar in my diet and everyday is a struggle.
I mindfully try to be a better listener with my friends, family and co-workers.
kisha
July 19, 2010
Good: 1. I read a lot and love taking in new information 2. I’ve learned to enjoy the benefits of waking up at 5am (this was no easy task for me Lol) 3. I’m a good listener Bad: 1. I obsess about details to the point that I’m slow to finish projects. 2. I’m forgetful (quite a butterfly; I tend bounce from idea to idea in my imagination and then forget where I put my car keys.) 3. I find it hard to say “no” sometimes.
Angela-Renee
July 19, 2010
Kudos, I applaud you on your 20 years of sobriety. Everyone has their own sacrifice to make. And moving out of our comfort zones or breaking unhealthy habits can be our greatest challenges. I believe you are an inspiration for many who are trying to breakthrough in business and in their personal ives. It takes tremendous courage to step out on your own and build your own thing. Thanks for being here and encouraging us. God bless you. (*.*)
norah
July 19, 2010
If I said “I didn’t have any bad habits” nobody would believe me. The simple honest truth is, I don’t even know what they are (but i have my “bad” moments) simply because I’m too busy focusing on my inner positive energy. It helps me become a better “me” that way…
- I’m extremely focused on what I need to do.
- Nature is my best friend (I have to get a dose of it everyday) and the purest form of energy one can ever have.
- I walk a lot (just put in 30 miles yesterday and this girl is very proud of herself!).
- I spent a lot of quiet moments alone. Peacefulness and quietness is good habit of mine.
- I keep my mind clean from “junk knowledge” and “junk advice.” Too much “knowledge junk” clutters the mind from being productive. I prefer the God given “common sense” instead. It keeps me smart.
- I like to keep it simple always. Can you believe I don’t even have a cell phone? Too much unnecessary drama! My life has been so peaceful and happy ever since I got rid of it (cell phone) 2 years ago.
- I don’t watch now-day “TV” and I keep myself entertained with only a “select” few movies and shows from way back in the days (30′s, 40′s, 50′s, 60′s, 70′s).
- I’m a leader at heart. I don’t compare myself with anyone and I don’t like to follow the crowd. I stick to my goals and vision in good and bad times. This has made me a strong person because I chose to say “no” when everyone else said “yes,” and I said “yes,” when everyone else said “no.” I have to “stand alone” sometimes. It’s a very tough situation to be in but it has its rewards.
I have a everyday simple “formula slogan” that I follow and it has helped me stay on solid ground. I do hula hoop, stair fitness, dance and jump workouts, and I walk at least 70 miles per week and I use this baby to motivate my fitness habit. Woot woot!
walkin’ it, sweatin’, jammin’ it, lovin’ it and….
makin’ it happen… 90% Hard work + 5% Fun + 5% Relaxation
bad moments that i’m working on:
- i’m a good girl but sometimes “i curse” (not out loud but i have before) when people get me “real mad”… i don’t like that!
- my tolerance level is somewhere between -50 and 0. i give everyone “one fair chance” to get “it” and that’s it. perhaps i can work on giving at least “3 chances” depending on the situation at hand.
- i know how to say “NO’ and i’m very good at it too. maybe every now and then a “YES” here and there won’t hurt at all. (Most of those “NO’s” have kept me out of trouble though).
- i’m not “big” on junk food but every now and then i “slip” Oops… i need to cut back on that.
Gloria Brown
July 19, 2010
Bad habit: I would procrastinate on writing down my ideas and then they would vanish from my brain. Now I write down my ideas as soon as I think of them including during the middle of the night for a fabulous idea.
Bad habit: Wanted most everything to be perfect – I now strive not to be a perfectionist.- I get so much more accomplished
Bad habit: I had a problem saying “no” – I’m working on it ….LOL
Good habit: Taught myself not to invest too much time into negative people.- .
Good habit: I don’t get bored (especially looking at pictures in magazines) and I have always liked my personality. Smiling doesn’t take much effort for me
Good habit: I have always been a great listener but it caused a problem. I got tired of listening to people’s problems and complaints about their lives. It was usually repeat problems and repeat complaints. I had to learn not to be a good listener and train myself to give the appearance that I am too busy to listen. I’m still a great listener but these days I choose when and what I want to hear.
I can’t remember being addicted to anything but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t wanted something badly …like having a favorite pair of jeans or a favorite dessert. I’ve never smoked and I’ve never had a craving for alcohol but please do not think of me as boring. I do enjoy a fun glass of sangria wine when my mother-in-law offers it to me on a visit to her house. And then she always manages to refill my glass when I leave the room for a moment…LOL
I don’t crave junk foods but when I want to indulge it is a special fun treat to go somewhere and enjoy a bite.
I don’t like clutter and I like to clean my work space as I work. Some people hold off on cleaning their mess until the very end of their project. I feel more energized in a clean work space.
Deborah
July 20, 2010
Hi Preston…I like this post this is a good one. I have been actively working on my good habits for the pass two years and I can tell its working because I truly feel better.
Good Habits
1. I listen to or read something motivational or inspirational every single day. Depending on time it could be something as small as reading a quote to listening to a DVD from individuals like Wayne Dyer, Bob Proctor, Michael Beckwith or John Assaraf. Its amazing how this has started to help me change the inner language I use when talking to mysefl.
2. Affirmation every day! Love them
3. When I turned 40 last year I made myself a promise that I would be open to trying new things and experiencing life. When I was younger I would always order the same things when I went out to eat. Now I make it a point to try a new dish or food from different countries. I love Thai & Japenese food! Who knew..lol
Bad Habits: Is there enough room…lol just kidding..lol
1. Fear! is my biggest bad habit and I totally get what you mean it can be paralyzing. I am actively working on changing my mindset. I am definitely starting to believe fear is what they say False Evidence Appearing Real. Once I say that phrase to myself and askl myself is what am fearing real I can see I make things worse than they really are.
2. I procrastinate! Especially with things I don’t like. I know whatever I need to do is not going away, but I put things off until it has to be done.
3. Self doubt this is something I know holds me back and I have just started an affirmation for it.
I do believe if I know what my bad habits are they can be change and thats a very good thing.
ForceFactor
July 21, 2010
Well I don’t usually comment on weblogs but I came upon yours whilst I was doing some work researching in Bing today and so i decided I would leave a simple note. I have to admit that I’ve gotten a lttle bit sidetracked going through and looking at a few of your posts… I ought to probably be doing work. You have got some good insights here, so I’m going to add you to my Google Reader for the future. All the best!
Tamiko - All Things Simple
July 22, 2010
Preston, I feel I can relate so much to your bad habits. I too avoid conflict when it comes to my personal life. I tend to get bored quickly(like to have variety). Lastly, I have a slight case of ADD because I tend to over multitask and don’t stay focused on any one project for more than 20 minute rotation. For instance right now, I am working on the notes for a presentation, but then decided to look at your blog and now I’m writing a response. I have a timer that I supposed to use to help me stay focused on the task at hand so I guess I better go get it right now. Thank goodness this ability to multi-task works on the day of an event when you have to focus on numerous things at once.
Good habits, a good sense of humor with the ability to laugh at myself frequently. I normallly try to see the good in people. I easily adapt to my surroundings and situations. I love playing with crafts and those things that bring out my creative side. I always want to help others which sometimes can be to a fault because I put myself to the side until way later.
I also want to say I am truly inspired by the fact that you write your blog everyday and share with us a window into who you are as a person. Also, thanks for the wonderful advice. Congrats on 20 years sober!!!!!!
Tamiko
All Things Simple
Katie
July 23, 2010
Great post. My bad habits don’t fit into a neat 3 list like yours do, but I have found that, for me, success comes with reinforcement. I downloaded a free ebook, 29 DAYS… to a habit you want! by Richard Fast , that has given me the chance to have that support without having to talk about things with my family or friends, who would judge my attempts and nag me in a way that would make me very unhappy.
Serene
August 2, 2010
Bad habits:
1. lose interest quickly
2. Put things off
3. Always want what i cant have
Good habits:
1. I keep God in my heart
2. very loyal
3. think before i speak (well i try)