Being Aware is The First Step for Change

It is considerably hard to break bad habits. Every time we do bad habits, we promise ourselves to avoid doing it tomorrow. But, over and over we are committing the same mistakes. The reason why it is so because we have already been in an autopilot mode, or in other word, we stop to being responsible with our decision.

Usually we have a sort of ‘favorite’ excuse when we face temptation to do bad habit. For example, for many (including me), on checking social media that is ‘checking YouTube/Facebook/Google would take just a minute.’ this usually end up checking for tens of minute.

It is impossible to solve this problem if we keep the same mindset. just as Einstein famously said “problems cannot be solved with the same mind set that created them.” the first step of changing everything is being aware what to change and what the problem is.

When I want to change a habit, the first step is being aware what is the bad habit. Sometimes, I little bit vague of my view about a habit, that is I don’t really sure if it a bad habit or not.

Then, I would investigate what drives me to do it. We usually think by doing something we will get a reward when we actually won’t. what is the reward I link to the habit. Then I tell myself that this is not the case. I would also debunk my usual excuse of doing a habit. For the social media case, that is telling me checking it will take tens of minute instead of merely a minute.

The next time i face the temptation over i have aware of the bad habit. this is the real challenge. I have two mantras for this, and they are pretty useful. The first, I would ask myself, “am I going to be wise or stupid?” By being wise, I avoid the habit since it works against me instead of for me. Or, by being stupid, keep letting the habit fools me over with a fake reward. I think every sane person know the answer.

The second is “change starts today.” sometimes, I letting me to repeat the habit, in the excuse of “I will stop it next time.” this is an obstacle for real change to happen, since it often compulsive. this statement, contains a bitter truth, help me to push change today.