What’s your worst habit? For the next 30 days, I challenge you to try the following experiment:
Measure the habit. If you’re a smoker, how many cigarettes do you smoke each day? If porn is an issue, how many minutes do you use porn daily? If you have an anger problem, how many angry outbursts or exchanges do you engage in each day?
Record the habit. Keep a daily record of your unwanted habit. Even if you smoke exactly 20 cigarettes each day, write it down.
The goal is simply to measure and record the behavior for 30 days. If the habit changes, it changes. If it doesn’t change, it doesn’t change. Either way, you’re bringing more awareness to this habit. You are, without judgment, simply acknowledging the habit each time you engage in it. Increased self-awareness tends to be self-correcting. Over time, by simply paying close attention, you either learn to let go of unwanted behavior, or learn to make peace with it. What you don’t do is ignore it. Looking the other way while your house is on fire does not save your house.
James Robbins is a licensed psychotherapist, published author, and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. In addition to providing counseling since 1999, he has lectured and offered workshops exploring various topics related to psychology and spirituality and has been a featured expert in a variety of media sources. James holds two graduate degrees in Creative Writing and Counseling.
