The "one weird trick"

The power of change comes not from a singular habit but rather the foundation it creates on which we can build. Clients who successfully create change in their lives don’t do so ima wholesale, do or die, manner. In our attempts to see massive change we often think that the answer is to alter everything in our lives.

While a complete change of environment is absolutely effective a cessation of behaviors (think prison or rehab) it’s not effective at long term change as we often must return to that environment to live. Therefore serious behavioral and lifestyle modifications must happen.

So how do we change when we don’t have the luxury of being isolated from reality? We slowly take on tasks that help us to alter our external and internal environment to one conducive to our new lives.

This means choosing support for our new goals. Creating barriers to triggers. And focusing on new behaviors that honor our values and help us towards our goals.

Often, one behavior will become our “must do”. And from that we will pursue other behaviors that piggy back. Something as simple as a morning walk or workout can help us to have a more consistent day for the feelings of competency and health seeking reward. We choose behaviors that support this feeling.

Find that bedrock habit and make it non-negotiable. And watch change take place.