Breaking the habits that block your progress

March 11th, 2019

We all have habits, right? Some good, some not so much. But what exactly are habits? Simply put, they're a set of automatic behaviors, thoughts, or actions we engage in, often without even realizing it. The beauty of habits is that they save us time and energy—when something becomes a habit, we don’t have to consciously think about it. It’s like our brain builds “muscle memory” that lets us go on autopilot. Imagine all the little things you do every day without a second thought—whether it’s brushing your teeth, making your morning coffee, or even checking your phone. Habits are what allow us to get through the day without burning out from constant decision-making.

But here’s the catch—that same “autopilot” function applies to our bad habits too. And while good habits can make our lives easier, bad habits can hold us back. Negative thought patterns, limiting beliefs, and self-sabotaging behaviors often creep in, like knee-jerk reactions to certain triggers. And because these habits are automatic, they can go unnoticed, leaving us stuck in a cycle of patterns that don’t serve us. What we don’t always realize is that our habits, whether good or bad, are shaping our behavior, which in turn shapes our results. And those results impact the outcomes we see in our lives. It’s no wonder we struggle to make progress—if our habits aren’t aligned with what we want, we’ll keep spinning our wheels.

The Connection Between Habits and Life Coaching

Now, you might be wondering, what do habits have to do with life coaching? After all, I talk a lot about how my program focuses on transformation and the “being” rather than the “doing.” And you’re right—the focus is on being. But here’s the thing: achieving lasting transformation requires balance. You need both the being and the doing—but here's the trick: your doing should always stem from your being. Because real habit change, is identity change. In other words, the actions you take should be aligned with who you want to become.

Your identity and your habits work in a sort of feedback loop. Your identity shapes your habits, and your habits reinforce your identity. If you see yourself as a “procrastinator” or someone who “can’t stick with things,” your habits will follow suit. But, on the flip side, if you view yourself as someone who takes action and sticks to their goals, you’ll create habits that reflect that. It’s all connected—your habits are a direct reflection of how you see yourself.

Why Habits Matter More Than You Think

I’ve studied habits a lot because, honestly, they fascinate me. They’re foundational to the success and transformation we seek in our lives. Think about it—our lives are essentially a series of habits. And guess what? The quality of our lives is largely determined by the quality of our habits. So, when you change someone’s habits, you can literally change their entire life.

This is why habit change is such a hot topic, especially in healthcare. Doctors have discovered that one of the biggest obstacles to successful health outcomes isn’t that people don’t know what they need to do—it’s that they struggle to follow through. It’s not enough to just know what to do; we need to know how to navigate our habits, create the right systems, and have the support and accountability we need to follow through.

And that’s not just true for healthcare. It’s true for life in general. Most of us have a pretty good idea of the changes we want to make in our lives. But here’s the thing—if you want different results, you need different processes. Your habits are your processes. If you can change your habits in a way that feels natural, aligned, and sustainable, that’s when you’ll start to see real transformation.

The Secret to Making Lasting Change

So how do you change your habits the right way? The secret is being. Yes, being. It’s not about forcing yourself to do more or putting yourself through painful routines that only last a few days. Real, lasting change comes from focusing on who you want to become, not just what you want to do.

When you focus on aligning your actions with your true self—when your habits reflect the person you’re becoming—you’ll find that change isn’t as hard as it seems. It becomes a natural progression, something that feels right, not forced. When you change the way you see yourself and your habits, you’ll finally break free from the cycles that have been keeping you stuck.

Ready to Hack Your Habits and Transform Your Life?

If you’re ready to stop struggling with the habits that are holding you back and start creating lasting change, I’d love to help. Book a free clarity call with me today, and let’s dive into how you can start transforming your habits in a way that truly sticks. Just schedule some time below—I can’t wait to chat with you!