The 5 Steps to Transformational Habit Change

Are there daily habits that you perform that you know are not serving you, but you continue them nonetheless? Habits are typically automatic things we do daily that take little conscious thought. They become just what we do, but changing them is not always easy, even when we decide to. You may have the motivation to do so, but that will only take you so far. Motivation and willpower do have their limits. Sure we can do something for a month or two, but we typically fall back into our old ways without the proper steps. Each one of us has our own programming. This article will explore the five steps of the transformational habit change process to make habit change stick.

What do I mean by that? We have been programmed with our identity and vision of the world around us and of ourselves. For habit change to be sustainable, we must address our programming.

Related Article: Why Do You Go Back to Your Old Habits, Even When You Desire Change

Stepping Back

Taking a look at what needs to change, and for the process to occur, we must step back from our situation and be an observer of the situation. Sometimes, it is hard for us to see what we need to address to make habit change successful when we are in our own stuff. We need to take a step back and get a bird’s eye perspective. Meaning, we must get a distance between ourselves and our programming to get the complete picture.

Our programming has molded our identity. Beliefs play a significant role here, but so do our experiences and circumstances. We will use both to validate our decisions to follow through or not follow through on something. Once you can step back and look at a situation from a new perspective and view, you can then create a more extensive menu of choices and possibilities to consider for your particular situation.

Letting Go

This is a big one. For transformation and habit change to occur, there is a process of letting go. Transformation is, in fact, a continual process of letting go to make room for what’s new and more aligned with your goals and desire for change. Perhaps we need to release certain beliefs we have about ourselves to create new ones that will propel us forward.  

When we talk about adopting a new habit, we must first let go of the habit that wasn’t serving us. This may seem like an easy concept, but again, after stepping back and looking at our programming, the unpacking of other things likely needs to occur. Not only are beliefs a big part of that but fear, guilt, self-doubt, shame, and non-worthiness may be hiding in your identity bag, as well.

When we can change on an identity level, then follow through for the new habit becomes easy. It becomes just what you do. This doesn’t happen with just discipline or willpower, but with true transformation. This step needs to occur on an identity level because if you have certain dysfunctional beliefs that do not align with your path, letting go of that needs to happen to make room for the beliefs that are in alignment. The key is to find the obstacles that are holding you back so that you can begin shifting them.

Related Article: Five Fears That Can Hold You Back From Conquering Your Goals

Saying Yes to Self

The next step is saying yes to self. This is the step in which you “let in” after the action of “letting go.” You’re saying yes to making that new habit part of your identity so that it becomes what you do or who you are. Saying yes is permitting yourself to let this new habit, belief, lifestyle, mindset, etc., into your being. True behavior change is identity change.

When you say yes to yourself, you decide what you want to be true about yourself and your life. You get to say yes to your truth and embody self-acceptance without feeling guilt or shame in doing so. When you can feel confident in your truth and grounded with your true authentic self, you can begin acting for that change!

Taking Empowered Action

This step is about taking action to get to where you want to be. We can decide to do the thing all day long, but none of it matters if we don’t take action. The operative word in this phrase is “empowered.” Empowered action is taking action in the absence of fear, doubt, confusion, worry, or the feeling that you’re not worthy. This is not the place you want to take action because it will not be effective long term, making it unsustainable. This is why the first three steps are essential to follow before starting moving forward on habit change and transformation.

Setting Up Support and Accountability

Once you set up the actions you plan to take, it is essential to set up accountability and support. This is the last step in transformational habit change. You may need to get someone to hold you accountable on your journey to transformation. This may be a friend, spouse, family member, etc. Sometimes it’s helpful if someone is on a similar journey so that you can keep each other accountable and offer support.

Being accountable might mean that you need to set up boundaries with yourself and hold yourself accountable for follow-through. Accountability and responsibility are closely related, but they are not the same. Being accountable is about owning your responsibility and being responsible, and taking ownership of your own outcome. It’s about making a personal declaration that you own the result that you ultimately produce. Whether it’s an action or inaction, you own that. It’s on you.

Bob Proctor once quoted, “Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.”

Setting up accountability may be the last step, but the work is ongoing. There will be days when you want to throw in the towel, but getting the nudge, you need to start letting go of the stuff that keeps you stuck so that you can take empowered action toward your goals will help keep you moving forward.

To summarize, humans don’t necessarily love change. We may desire it, but our brains like the status quo. Even when we act, there is an excellent chance that we will fall back into our old ways because that is what’s comfortable. Therefore these five steps to transformational habit change are necessary. Skipping or not following through on the first few will result in falling back to square one.

Coaching may be what you need to get you through these steps and reach your highest potential. This can help you step back and look at your own stuff, assist in deciding what you need to let go of so that you can say yes to yourself! A coach can direct you toward the best-empowered action to take and, of course, provide you with the right accountability to keep you moving in the direction you desire. To learn more about coaching and if it’s right for you, read What Exactly Is Health And Life Coaching.

And if you are ready to take that step, you can book a discovery call absolutely FREE!