We've become accustomed to believing that big changes require big effort. For example, let's say you have a chocolate habit that you would like to change. Most of us believe that the most successful strategy is to employ a lot of willpower, believing that if we just try hard enough we will succeed.
However, successful behaviour change doesn't require willpower. In fact willpower often makes it worse because it locks you in a struggle of mind over chocolate. And the chocolate usually wins.
In a previous post, I talked about how "people are always doing what makes most sense to the at their current level of understanding". You're only eating chocolate because, on some level, it makes sense to you .
The key to changing your behaviour is simply to find a new level of understanding where eating chocolate doesn't make sense to you any more.
To find that new level of understanding, let yourself get settled (it won't work if you're craving) and curious.
Firstly, explore what makes sense to you about eating chocolate. Go into some detail. Find out as much as you can, without judging yourself.
Then ask yourself what will happen if you continue. Again, go into detail and paint a vivid picture for yourself. Don't judge. Just be curious and explore.
Finally, ask yourself "what else would need to be true right now for it not to make sense any more?". Perhaps it's something to do with fitness, or dental bills, or problems with your blood sugar. There will be something. Find it.
Then sit with it and keep breathing. Stay curious and calm. Don't try to think it through. You may have an insight see something new.
