How to Stop a Bad Habit

Do you smoke? Do you drink? Do you bite your fingernails? Do you drive aggressively? Is there some habit that you would really like to break? Here's how...

1.) If you are doing your bad habit right now, stop. That was easy, right?

2.) Continue not doing it.

3.) If you do your bad habit again, return to 1.)


Easy as that. Really.

But now the rubber meets the road and you are faced with a friend offering you a cigarette or perhaps an extra piece of pie or some crack (whatever your habit). Sure, it's easy in theory, but how do you say 'no' in practice? Sure, stopping temporarily is easy, but how do you deal with the desire to do that habit day in and day out? How does one actually do it?

A.) You really need to want to stop, and that desire needs to consume your dreams. You need to see yourself in a future where you are not doing that bad habit. Visualize what that really entails, down to noticing the pack of cigarettes missing from that pocket in your coat where you used to keep them. Pay attention to how you are feeling without your bad habit. Focus on the really good, positive energy you get from being free from your bad habit. Notice in your visualization, too, what other things you will be doing instead of your bad habit. Embrace those things and find joy in doing them. Yes, I'm aware visualization sounds kinda new-agey, but it's really just getting your mind set for something better to come. That's all.

B.) If you don't truly want to stop your bad habit, you won't. But the moment you actually set your mind to wanting to quit, you will be successful. You will fail if you do not first have in place the will to truly stop. Really.

C.) Re-enforce your accomplishments. If you only had two glasses of wine this evening instead of the usual four, slap yourself on the back. Well done! Each step in the right direction needs to be celebrated, no matter how small the accomplishment. Tell yourself good and positive things around your ability to swap your bad habit for a good one. Do this as frequently as possible.

D.) Keep yourself busy and active. Spend time doing things with others, as having other people around helps keeps one on track. But doing anything at all--like traveling, charity work, artistic endeavors, or even sleeping--helps keep your mind off of your bad habit. This might sound taxing (except the sleeping, of course), but all you need to do is find things to do that you enjoy that aren't your bad habit.

E.) Find your motivation. Will your stopping your bad habit benefit others, like your spouse or children? Will stopping benefit your health and allow you to live a fuller and longer life? Will stopping save you money that you could save for something wonderful? Focus on what good will come of your stopping and all of the people who would benefit, no matter how indirectly. Always keep in focus your motivation, especially at those times when you are faced with a bad habit opportunity.

F.) It never hurts to pray. Ask God for the strength you need to get over your bad habit. With God, anything is possible. Truly. Keep God in focus as much as possible, and if you happen to falter, share with God your weak moments and God will share with you insight on how do deal with them. Have some faith in God that God will help guide you to better behaviors.


Still impossible? Too addicted to your habit? Really? If someone offered you a million dollars if you could refrain from your bad habit for one day, could you? Yeah, me too. Even if I was addicted to PCP, I'd find a way. The point is that it is possible. No matter what you say, no matter how hard you think it will be, no matter how ingrained your bad habit is, if you really set your mind to quit, then you are already more than halfway there. All of your power to be successful in stopping your bad habit comes from within. It's all about using your free will correctly. Best of luck to you. And to me.