We all have vices – those little indulgences or behaviors that provide temporary pleasure or relief but often come with negative consequences – holding us back from reaching our full potential. How many of these do you do?
- mindless snacking
- excessive social media use
- procrastination
- alochol
- Anger
- Gluttony
- Greed
- Coffee
- Smoking
Who controls who?
Who controls your alcohol intake?
Your concious self or unconcious self?
That’s where the 30-day vice check comes in. Here’s how it works:
- Pick a Vice
The first step is to identify the habit you want to kick. Be honest with yourself and choose something that’s been holding you back or causing problems in your life. - Take a 30-Day Run
Commit to abstaining from your vice for 30 consecutive days. Just think of it as one day at a time.
If you find yourself struggling to make it through the 30 days, don’t beat yourself up – you got to try something new:
a. Find the Trigger
Identify the situations, emotions, or environments that trigger your habit. By recognizing these triggers, you can better prepare yourself to resist temptation.
b. Clean Up
Remove any temptations or reminders of your habit from your environment. This could mean clearing your home of unhealthy snacks, booze, smoke, unsubscribing from distracting social media accounts, or changing your routine to avoid certain places or situations.
c. Swap Out
Replace your old habit with a new, healthier behavior. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, you could try chewing gum, going for a walk, or drinking water whenever you feel the urge to light up.
d. Ease Out
If going cold turkey is too difficult, try gradually reducing your indulgence in the habit over time. This can make the transition more manageable and increase your chances of success. “one less cigarette today”
e. Cold Turkey
For some habits, the best approach may be to quit abruptly and completely. Hello willpower and determination, but it can be effective for breaking particularly stubborn habits.
The key to success with this 30-day challenge is finding the strategy that works best for you. It may take some trial and error, but the effort is worth it.
And if after the 30 days, if you want to go back to the vice – then do so. The point is to have control over these things vs letting them control us.
By breaking free from your vice, you’ll be able to redirect your energy and focus toward more positive pursuits, ultimately leading to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose your vice, commit to the 30-day challenge, and start changing the trajectory of your life today.
Joe DiAndrea 