One of the most important aspects of change is setting yourself up for success. Often, in our individual lives or as parents, we set goals with the best intentions but fall short of achieving our goals. Why does this happen?

There are many reasons why things may not go as planned, but the most common reasons are usually due to the following shortcomings:

1) We often fall into auto-pilot mode and miss chances to practice.

2) Changing behavior can be challenging when the behavior is strongly associated with immediate, short-term rewards versus delayed or uncertain rewards that may come from learning a new skill. If a behavior is not reinforced, it will eventually disappear.

How Can Behavior Analysis Help?

One often overlooked aspect of behavior change is our environment. Simple changes can have a big impact. Here are a few ways to modify your environment to achieve your goals:

1) When creating a new habit, make it easier by linking it to an existing routine. For instance, place the floss next to your toothbrush if you want to floss more.

2) Use a visual cue to make it a highly visible, noticeable, and commonly looked at location. For example, place a yellow post-it on the bathroom mirror with the word “floss” on it.

3) Tell someone else about the change and have them hold you accountable through social praise or other reinforcement if necessary.

Ready to make a change?

Practicing change is crucial, and you need to allow yourself the opportunity to practice it. Altering your surroundings can remind you of the change you wish to make. Still, it's important to remember that any additional cue in your environment is only useful if you use it.

Ready to make a change but not sure where to start? New Habits Consulting can help! Schedule a free consultation call today.