The most effective strategy to get rid of old habits

During a great discussion in a class today, we got to the point to explore strategies to follow and steps that we can take to release an old habit or behavior.  

Students shared some really remarkable ideas and solutions; we covered all the phases: intention, preparation, commitment, awareness. We came up with structures that can be put in place, resources that can be used. But something was still missing.

That little something is very simple and effective. You can watch Bob Newhart describe it in the most eloquent way in the video below:

Stop it!

You have decided that you want to let go of something that makes your life and/or work difficult, ineffective, unproductive?

Step one: identify what this is.

Step two: focus your intention on what you want to do.

Step three: commit to that intention.

Step four: increase your awareness to detect the old habit/ behavior.

Step five: Stop it! 

Then, you can sit back and enjoy the new habit with which you will have replaced it