Old Habits / New Habits

OLD HABITS / NEW HABITS

Preparation and Homework

1. What is your relationship with habits/routine? Are you someone who likes routines and habits, or seems to fight them? Is it generally difficult or easy for you to establish and maintain a habit/routine?

2. Think of a time when you have started a new habit or made a positive change in your life. Describe what happened and why you think you were successful.

3. Similarly, think of a habit that you have been unable to change/start/end a habit. Why do you believe you were unsuccessful?

4. Make a list of 5-10 habits you would like to begin/end/change in your life.

5. Now pick ONE to focus on for the group – pick one that challenges you, but that you are ready to take-on today.

6. What impact is this habit having on your life?

7. How would your life be different if you changed this habit? Be specific. Deeply explore WHY this is important to your life. What is your motivation for changing this habit?

8. If you have tried this before, what happened in the past attempts? Why do you believe that you are ready to make this change now?

9. What specific steps do you need to take to start/end/change this behavior?

10. What obstacles or challenges do you anticipate?

11. What strategies can you think of that will help you deal with these challenges. (hints: call a support friend, engage in an alternative behavior, slow down & recall goal).

12. Who can support you in making this change?

13. How can you change your physical environment to be supportive of your success? This would be things that either make it easier to do a positive habit, or harder to do a negative habit. (hints: leave my gym shoes by the door, purge my pantry of junk food, write my goal on notes throughout the house)

14. How might you track your progress?

15. How could you acknowledge and celebrate your success?