Negative Behaviors

How easy is it to fall into a series of bad "habits", or behaviors leading to our demise? In our personal as well as our professional lives, there are certain, let's call them, habitual behaviors which can be very detrimental to outcomes. And the biggest problem with them is that they don't just affect our immediate situation, but have reverberations which cause further affect down the line.

I think when we feel smaller and less powerful than we are is when we are most susceptible to our old habits. This is particularly true in the face of change. Within our psyches, we have a natural reluctance to change, and when faced with a sweeping change, tend to actually rebel. What can we do to modify these behaviors?

First, it's critically important not to dwell on the "harmful" behaviors. If you find yourself moving backward, into old habits, don't beat yourself up. Recognize the issue and look for positive steps to help persuade yourself not to repeat this again. Focus on the positive outcomes of positive behaviors. Dwelling on the negativity doesn't seem to help. Try to immerse yourself in the goal of the change and stay the course. In an organization, this means you need to evangelize the goal, and help others understand the steps toward the change.

Ultimately, the path to positive change is a continual management of the behaviors and steps required to effect that change. The goal has to be the right one, and sold correctly, but that doesn't guarantee results. Results are the outcome of diligence, positive enforcement, and guidance through the process.