5 steps to changing behavior


As humans, we all are constantly looking towards the next goal we can achieve, and how we can better ourselves. But sometimes it can become difficult to achieve these goals or changes we want without proper structure. This blog post will give you a psychologically proven way to achieve your goals and change behaviors while sustaining them!

Making a lasting change in behavior is rarely a simple process. It usually involves a big commitment of time, effort, and emotion. While trying to make changes, many people become discouraged and give up on their goals. The keys to achieving and maintaining your goals are to find ways to sustain them. For more information on this topic, check out this link!

A couple years ago, I had really bad eating habits. I rarely made room in my diet for protein even though I was working out every day, and because of this I always felt malnourished and tired. When I decided it was time for a change, I came across this method for behavior change, and it helped me tremendously!

Stage 1: Pre contemplation 

In this stage, you're not really considering a change. Most people will claim that their behavior isn't a problem. You may feel like you have no control over your behavior. 

  •    Characteristics: Denial, Ignorance of the problem
  •    Strategies: Rethink your behavior, analyze yourself and your actions, and assess risks of your             current behavior

Stage 2: Contemplation
During this stage, people become more and more aware of the potential benefits of making a change but the costs tend to stand out even more. This conflict creates a strong sense of inner conflict about changing. 
  • Characteristics: Inner conflict, conflicted emotions
  • Strategies: Weigh the pros and cons of behavior change. Confirm your readiness and ability to change. Identify your barriers to change.
Stage 3: Preparation
During this stage, you might begin making small changes to prepare for a larger life change. In this stage, get as much information as you can about ways to change your behavior. Write down your goals, get organized, and start finding places that will help support you!
Stage 4: Action
During the fourth stage of change, people begin taking direct action in order to accomplish their goals. Many times people fail in this stage, because previous steps haven't been given that much thought. If you're currently taking action towards achieving a goal, congratulate and reward yourself for any positive steps you take!
  • Characteristics: Direct action towards your goal
  • Strategies: Reward your successes and seek out social support
Stage 5: Maintenance
If you are trying to maintain a new behavior, try replacing old habits with more positive actions. Reward yourself when you successfully avoid a relapse. If you do fail, don't be too hard on yourself! Don't give up. Instead, remind yourself that it was just a minor setback.
  • Characteristics: Maintenance of new behaviors, avoid temptation
  • Strategies: Develop coping strategies for temptation, remember to reward yourself!
These steps helped me maintain my eating habits and get the protein in that I needed! Although it isn't as simple as just gunning for your goal, I believe that using these steps truly lead to lasting results!

Making a lasting change in behavior is rarely a simple process. It usually involves a big commitment of time, effort, and emotion. While trying to make changes, many people become discouraged and give up on their goals. The keys to achieving and maintaining your goals are to find ways to sustain them. For more information on this topic, check out this link!

Comments

  1. Merna YounanJuly 24, 2022 at 5:26 PM

    Hi Sophia, love the color and style of your blog! I really like how you added 5 steps to changing behavior. I actually had no idea that behavior could be an issue for some people. I have a problem where I always think I am right and I tend to butt heads with my family, but I do know that I am that way. I always try to change my habits, but I just don't know how. Eating habits is also a big issue for me. I tell myself I am not gonna snack at night, but I always find myself doing so and I really hate it, but I can't stop myself for some reason. Behavior is the problem. If you don't control your behavior then you will never change. Thanks for the super beneficial facts about behavior. I am glad I came across your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Abby's MindJuly 25, 2022 at 3:22 PM

    Hi Sophia, your blog is very appealing to the eye and I also liked the way you formatted the post. I enjoyed reading it as you made a lot of great points on the 5 ways to change behavior. I feel like I am able to relate to this as well as gain a lot of information from this because I was also at a point where I had really bad health habits and it really took a toll on my body physically and mentally. Thank you for the interesting facts!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tuan TruongJuly 27, 2022 at 9:32 AM

    I liked the style of your blog, it is great how it was not only informative, but human as well since you put yourself in the spotlight. I liked how you said that the action part is the hardest for some people, however, this is not always the case! It is often the ideology which is the hardest part. You can work out, eat better, but if you are not actively changing your mindset to match your ideal, then no change can happen. The final part where you mentioned maintenance is exactly that, to maintain and solidify the actions and thought helps you reach the final goal, so it is great that you mentioned it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TreyJuly 27, 2022 at 9:59 PM

    Hey Sophia! I really liked this blog and picked it on the title alone based on what I wrote my last article on (how exercise has helped me). I thought it was really cool how you broke down the psychological process people go through when making any decision and sticking to it, especially those with a longer time commitment. It took me a long time to finally commit to eating right and exercising regularly, and was able to find a lot of similarities between myself and what you wrote! Looking forward to hearing more, love how informative your writing is!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Giovanna LeyvaJuly 29, 2022 at 11:19 AM

    Hi, Sophia!
    I love your blog! I love how it centers around mental health and happiness - something I truly believe is essential for all of us. This post really interested me because it simplifies how to reach your goals which is something I feel as though I can struggle with. I tend to overthink a lot, and it can oftentimes create bigger problems. However, your post was like a breath of fresh air and a gentle reminder of how to simplify our goals. It does not need to be so complicated if we just break it down one step at a time.

    ReplyDelete

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