“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.” — Socrates

Let’s be honest — deep inside, we all know that we have at least one unpleasant habit that is holding us back from becoming our best self.

These habits can take many forms, from smoking, overeating junk food, and excessive screen time to procrastination, self-sabotage, or constantly giving in to negative thoughts. Even after acknowledging that these habits no longer serve us, we often find ourselves stuck in the same patterns, unable to let them go.

Over time, we may even begin to accept these habits as “just the way we are.” But the truth is, this so-called acceptance is often a form of self-preservation. It’s a subconscious mechanism we use to protect ourselves from disappointment — the disappointment that follows each failed attempt to change.

After trying and failing repeatedly, it can feel easier to stop trying altogether. We relapse, return to the comfort of familiar behaviors, and quietly ask ourselves, “Why do I even bother?”

One possible reason our past attempts to break bad habits haven’t been successful is that, on some level, we believe these habits bring us more pleasure than pain. Even when we know the long-term consequences, the short-term relief or comfort feels worth it.

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For example, we may reach for that extra slice of chocolate cake despite promising ourselves to eat healthier because, in that moment, the pleasure of indulgence seems to outweigh the pain of potential weight gain or health consequences. Our brains are wired to prioritize immediate rewards — even when they conflict with our long-term goals.

This is why it’s so important to honestly assess how ready and committed you truly are to making a change. Two powerful questions to ask yourself are:

• How has this habit been serving me? (Has it provided comfort, distraction, emotional relief, or a sense of control?)
• what am I afraid of losing if I let this habit go?

When you dig deep and answer these questions truthfully, you gain awareness — and awareness is the foundation of transformation. From there, you can consciously decide that whatever temporary pleasure your bad habits provide pales in comparison to the long-term fulfillment, confidence, and freedom you’ll experience once you release them.

Once you declare yourself genuinely ready to commit to change, the next step is to increase your chances of follow-through by using intentional strategies that make change feel achievable and sustainable.

One strategy that has been particularly helpful for me was shared by Todd Herman, founder of The Peak Athlete, a peak performance coaching and research company that works with elite athletes and high-performing executives. Todd explains that lasting change requires having a clear and vivid vision of what success looks like.

Instead of focusing solely on what you want to stop doing, imagine in detail what life will look and feel like once you follow through. For example, if your goal is to become fitter, visualize yourself moving with ease, feeling energized throughout the day, completing physical challenges effortlessly, or confidently fitting into those “skinny jeans” you’ve been saving.

The clearer and more emotionally engaging this vision is, the more motivated you’ll feel to commit to the process required to get there.

Todd also emphasizes the importance of breaking down big goals into micro-goals, which he calls trigger goals. These are small, manageable actions that naturally lead you toward your larger objective.

For instance, if your goal is to work out at the gym four times a week, a trigger goal might simply be committing to changing into your workout clothes four times a week. Once you’ve taken that small step, you’re far more likely to follow through and actually make it to the gym.

What I love about these two simple approaches — visualization and trigger goals — is that they add clarity, certainty, and even excitement to the change process. Instead of feeling overwhelming or intimidating, personal growth becomes approachable, motivating, and empowering.

So, why not give them a try? These may be the exact tools you need to finally release your bad habits and move closer to becoming the best version of yourself. You’re more capable than you think — and yes, you’ve got this!

Between how it is and how it should be.
Between who you are and who you could be…
…is what you do.

Read more: 5 Actionable Tips to Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet (Backed by Goal-Setting Psychology)

PS: Releasing old habits isn’t only about willpower — it’s also about awareness, compassion, and creating space for something new.

We invite you to a session of our Cutting Cords Guided Meditation to slow down, soften your resistance, and gently let go of patterns, people, thoughts, & behaviors that no longer serve your highest good. Allow yourself this time to reset, reconnect, and step forward feeling lighter, clearer, and more aligned with the person you’re meant to become!

Ready to release habits that no longer serve you and create lasting change? Book your FREE discovery call with a Certified Coach today and take your first step toward becoming your best self!