Most of us know the person we want to become: fitter, calmer, kinder, more disciplined or courageous. The difficulty is not deciding; it is doing. Lasting change rarely comes from heroic acts of willpower. It comes from small, deliberate behaviours repeated until what once required effort becomes who you are.
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Decide who you are becoming.
Complete the sentence: “I am someone who…” then identify one behaviour that would make it true. Each time you act accordingly, you strengthen the person you are trying to become.
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Engineer the entry point.
Choose a precise cue: “When [this happens], I will immediately [do this].” A clear starting signal closes the space in which excuses usually appear.`
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Make the right action easy.
Put your trainers by the door, open your notebook before the meeting or leave your phone in another room. Arrange your surroundings so the better choice requires less effort.
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Prioritise consistency.
Repeat the behaviour in the same circumstances and begin with something manageable, even on a difficult day. There is no magic number of days; establish the habit before expanding it.
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Replace rather than resist.
An unhelpful habit usually serves a purpose. Identify its trigger and reward, then create a better response that meets the same need. Willpower alone is rarely enough.
The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please contact us.
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