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We all have habits that are good for us and bad for us. We also have the ability to break those habits, but it’s not always easy.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is a technique that can help you change your behavior, so you don’t do things automatically anymore.
In this blog post, we will explore ways in which NLP can break habits, so you have more control over your life!
What is Neuro-Linguistic Programming?
Neuro-Linguistic Programming is a technique developed in the 1970s to create positive change.
NLP uses creativity and visualization to find new ways of acting and thinking that stick with you for life.
NLP also helps give people more control over their thoughts, feelings, and actions by using different techniques such as creating healthy habits.
NLP is based on the idea that people experience the world through their five senses.
While most people use sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to perceive information about the world around them, NLP uses another sense called “kinaesthetic.” With this sense, you can recall memories without using your usual five senses.
Ways in Which NLP Can Break Habits
NLP is great for creating change in your own life. It can make you more motivated to do things with the help of new techniques.
Changing habits is all about changing your behavior in a way that will stick with you for good.
If you want to stop biting your nails like I used to do, it’s not enough to give yourself a verbal command. That won’t affect your behavior. You need to find a way to change how you feel about biting your nails and replace them with something else. NLP helped me and it can help you too.
1. Getting Out of Your Head and Into Action
One of the most important things in battling bad habits is getting out of your head and into action so you can change the way you do things.
If you’ve tried to stop biting your nails in the past, then you might have had a plan of attack that went like this:
- I am going to stop biting my nails
- At first, I will feel anxious, but I will fight through it
- I will feel proud of myself for not biting my nails
- Eventually, I will start to enjoy my new habit and all the rewards that come with it!
That may work for some people, but if you know you won’t keep up with something like this, then don’t do it.
You need momentum to change your behavior. It’s like trying to make a canoe move forward against the current of a river.
You need to go with the current and use it as your momentum, not fight against it!
2. Coping With Urges Instead of Giving in to Them
Cravings are usually temporary, but they can be powerful if you give in to them.
When you are trying to stop biting your nails, the urge might come on strong every few minutes.
Here’s how you can use NLP to suppress the urge and keep going with your new habit:
- Observe the urge to bite your nails without giving into it
- Take note of where you feel it in your body, what emotions are involved, and how strong it is
- Let all those feelings float by like clouds. Don’t attach yourself to them!
3. Doing Only One Thing at a Time
Another thing that holds people back when trying to change their behavior is doing too many things at once.
If you want to stop biting your nails, pick one task you will do every time the urge comes on strong.
For example: instead of saying “I will not bite my nails,” change it to “I will wear gloves when watching TV.”
4. Get Excited About Your New Habit
What you think about during the day will influence your behavior. If you are excited about your new habit, then you are more likely to do it!
It’s all about how much mental energy you give to your new habit. If you want to stop biting your nails, you need to overwhelm yourself with positive thoughts about what you will do instead.
- Imagine how proud of yourself you will feel for sticking with your habit change
- What rewards will you give yourself when the habit becomes a part of your life? How good will you feel when it’s done?
- What are some positive things you can say to yourself every time the urge comes on strong? Make a list of at least ten.
Conclusion
NLP is a powerful tool that can help you stop bad habits and establish good ones. NLP is full of techniques that can help you change your behavior, whether it’s quitting bad habits or starting new ones.
You need to find the method that works best for the habit you want to change and then apply it! Keep in mind not all NLP methods are appropriate for every situation.