Sometimes we find ourselves in bad behavior that surprises us. Sometimes we feel so positive, that we achieve a major goal that we were not sure we would reach, or we find the courage to ask for that big promotion at work.
However, there are times when we do or say something negatively. We snap at our co-worker for taking so long to finish a report or we argue with a loved one that ends in tears.
Interestingly, research indicates that promising to never do something again increases the likelihood of really doing it. Our daily behaviors consist of habits to an extent of about 40%. Thus, we spend about half of our time on autopilot.
So, are you caught up in an endless cycle of negative thoughts and bad behaviors? Are you prepared to end that pattern?
Napoleon Hill argues in his book Outwitting the Devil that humans develop bad behavior habits. It is possible to break free from bad behaviors and form a new, constructive one.
He suggests three actions: make faith your priority, establish a life goal, and never settle for less than you deserve. The main idea behind these measures is to approach everything with confidence and dedication.
Bad Behavior Examples
The following are a few of the most typical forms of bad behavior to watch out for:
Rudeness
Rude behavior is just not acceptable in the workplace, which ought to be a happy, comfortable place for workers to spend their days. Inappropriate and rude behavior can be especially troublesome if it affects your interactions with clients.
Having Tantrums Of A Temper
What is bad behavior? Adult temper tantrums include pouting, disengagement, belligerence, and passive-aggressive conduct. Although everyone gets upset and angry occasionally, there are mature, healthy ways to express anger that don’t damage relationships.
Manipulation
Although many of the bad behaviors on the list entail manipulation, a skilled manipulator will take it to new heights. To force people to submit to their will, they will employ cunning, charm, intellect, or other abilities.
Talking Behind Others’ Backs
This is the kind of bad behavior that is readily formed into a habit. It feels strong to know something about someone, especially something scandalous or unfavorable. Curious minds would want to know what we know. However, rumors hurt people so much and destroy trust.
Behaving Enviously
Many of the bad behaviors outlined, particularly guilt-tripping, can be signs of jealousy. Usually, it comes from feelings of being hurt, inadequate, or insecure. Jealousy is a bad behavior that causes others to feel uncomfortable, guilty, or incorrect without need.
What can you do, then, if you discover that you have bad behavior?
How To Change Your Bad Behavior?
Awareness
Being aware is the first step. Your mouth does not suddenly produce that cigarette. Identifying your habitual behavior is a crucial first step.
To change bad behavior into a good one, we need to take off the autopilot. Reducing your behaviors could seem too difficult at first. It’s alright.
Try to make the habit more predictable. Put another way, aim to smoke the same amount of cigarettes every day rather than even trying to stop smoking. Eventually, the modest self-control effort resulted in a decrease in smoking.
Make New Friends At Work
Are you feeling sad about your peer group? Are you sick of the negativity and criticism? Are you enmeshed in unwelcome rumors? Reassess who you spend time with at work.
Make sure you choose people who will support your development, work well together as a team, and show respect to those who make mistakes and are only human.
Give Yourself A Reward
When you start a new endeavor or challenge, everything seems thrilling at first, but soon the routine takes over. Before routine steals the joy from your employment, add some enjoyment into your daily routine by rewarding yourself when objectives are accomplished.
Now consider how you can treat yourself to something nice after a long day of work. or when the quarter-final project is completed? When you get to the top of the mountain or the end of the journey, what will you truly enjoy? A journey to a far-off location (the ultimate reward)? Or, as a quick fix, a trip to your preferred ice cream parlor?
Replace
Changing bad behavior is difficult. It’s significantly simpler to link new habits to known triggers. When that trigger happens, what will you do?
Create a new routine to replace the outdated one.
One of the most effective strategies for avoiding triggers is to use “if-then” scenarios. Make a strategy: “I will _______ instead of ______ if I am tempted to do so.“
Research indicates that when people have a predetermined “if-then” mechanism in place, they do far better than when they are forced to resist through sheer willpower. (See here for more on how “If-then” may transform your life.)
Take little measures, give consistency top priority, and treat yourself when you achieve “little victories“.
Take Responsibility For Yourself
Try your hardest not to justify bad behavior if you find yourself in a scenario where your bad behavior surprises you or if someone close to you calls you on it. It’s not a good idea to try to defend harmful actions or to become defensive.
You must acknowledge that you do those things in the first place before you can begin to modify your bad behaviors.
If you are unable to do that, you will find yourself stuck in a negative loop that will prevent you from changing the pattern and moving in the direction of a more positive mental state.
Put It In Context
When you lost your temper with your coworker, what was going on? Did you not sleep well the previous evening? Did you experience pressure and tension due to an important deadline?
When you find yourself in circumstances where you behave in this way, pause to consider what could have been the source of your tension or act out.
When we are experiencing a particular emotion, we frequently overlook other significant contributing circumstances that could be the cause of it.
Embrace Forgiveness
Both for yourself and others, practice forgiveness. People are messy; we all have personal issues that might cause awkward circumstances when we come into contact with one another.
To relieve stress and improve our overall well-being, let’s practice forgiveness and collaborate to make interactions less stressful.
What Irritates Yonoysu?
Occasionally, specific individuals, circumstances, or locations may exacerbate our unfavorable emotional states.
Some may find it as simple as running into the wrong people at the bar or having a coworker who enjoys doing exactly the kind of thing that irritates you, such as constantly chatting to you about their personal lives.
A licensed therapist can help you identify the triggers for your uncontrollably agitated episodes and guide you through them.
You can begin working on those items once you have a general understanding of what they are.
Once you identify the situations that make you feel like you’re about to lose control, you can take steps to modify, accept, or eliminate those triggers.
Consider The Long Term
Bad behavior often develops as a result of short-term urge satisfaction; for example, chewing your nails can instantly reduce anxiety.
However, short-term cravings frequently result in unpleasant long-term effects, including chewed-up, splintered fingers.
You can better recall why you’re making the effort when you try to change some habits if you keep your long-term goals in mind.
Final Words
Changing a bad behavior into a good one needs self-awareness, commitment, and effort. By following an approach, understanding triggers, setting goals, holding yourself accountable, and practicing forgiveness, people can successfully change bad habits into positive ones.
Patience, persistence, and self-compassion are essential in the journey of personal growth and behavioral changes