Habits: start with one day a week

by Jen (November 9, 2007)

You don’t have to approach your habits like it’s all or nothing. Good behavior in moderation is better than no good behavior at all.

Let’s say one day you realize if you stopped going out to nice lunches during the work week, you’d save at least $50 a week, possible more like $100. That’s a lot of money, and you feel guilty knowing you could just brownbag it and have all that money. But the idea of not going on those lunches - not having that nice break that makes the stress of the workday tolerable and maybe helps you network (the stuff of promotions) - gives you a panic attack. What to do?

Pick one day a week to brownbag it. Doesn’t even have to be the same day every week. Got a week chock full of lunches you don’t want to miss? Just do two the next week. The point is, you’re saving something. Maybe in time you’ll want to do more… or maybe you’ll find that in your particular situation, those lunches are worth every penny. That’s an okay thing to decide too.

Or maybe you suspect you need to cut back on sugar, but you hate the idea. Take one day to cut back every week. This will reduce your consumption - maybe not enough, but it’s a start.

If you’re a bit more stalwart, the idea of scheduling one day per week to cheat your new habit is a good way to give yourself some relief to look forward to.

Just don’t go overboard on your “bad” days to make up for the “good” one(s) or you may do yourself more harm than good.

Subscribe to feed updates or email updates
Save it: Stumble it! | Del.icio.us | Digg
Posted in Organization
Want your tip featured on Bohemian Revolution? Click here!