Page 140 - YOU CAN WIN - SHIV KHERA

RokZRooM Special ! You Can Win by Shiv Khera

3. Are envy and ego a constant companion?
4. Is empathy in short supply?

We could go on and on. We are creatures of habit. It is good that it is that way because if
we have to constantly think before doing anything, we would never get anything done.
There is just not enough time.
We control our habits by exercising control and self discipline over our thoughts. We
need to harness the power of the subconscious mind. We need to cultivate the habits
during childhood which build character in adulthood. Plant the right things early in life. But
it is never too late to start. Every exposure to a positive or negative makes a difference.
Learning new habits takes time but positive habits, once mastered, give new meaning to
life.
Optimism or pessimism is a habit. Habits are a matter of the pain and pleasure principle.
We do things either to avoid pain or to gain pleasure. So long as the gain is more than
the pain, we continue with the habit. But if the pain exceeds the gain, we drop it. For
example, when the doctor tells the smoker to stop, he replies "I can't! It is a habit and I
enjoy it!" and he goes on smoking. Here the pleasure is greater than the pain. Until one
day he is faced with a major medical problem, and the doctor says "You better stop
smoking immediately if you want to live" and he stops. Here the pain is greater than the
pleasure.

RESISTANCE TO CHANGE

When people recognize or become aware of their negative habits, why don't they
change?
The reason they don't change is because they refuse to accept responsibility. Besides,
the pleasure of continuing is greater than the pain. They may:

♦ Lack the desire to change
♦ Lack the discipline to change
♦ Lack the belief that they can change
♦ Lack the awareness for the need to change

All these factors prevent us from getting rid of our negative habits. We all have a choice.
We can ignore negative behavior and hope it will go away--the ostrich approach--or face
up to it and overcome it for life. Behavior modification comes from overcoming irrational
fears and getting out of the comfort zone. Remember, fear is a learned behavior and can
be unlearned.
The following excuses are the most common explanations for not changing negative
habits:
1. We have always done it that way.
2. We have never done it that way.
3. That is not my job.
4. I don't think it will make any difference.
5. I'm too busy.

FORMING POSITIVE HABITS

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