Say Goodbye to Bad Habits in 4 Steps, Ep #211

What are your bad habits? When I finally climb into bed at night—I grab my phone and start scrolling. Before I know it, 30–40 minutes have passed. Looking at screens right before bed negatively impacts sleep, yet I continue to do it. So in this episode of Best in Wealth, I share four “laws” from James Clear’s book, “Atomic Habits,” that will help you say goodbye to your bad habits.

Outline of This Episode

• [2:37] What is your bad habit?
• [5:23] Get an accountability partner
• [6:54] Step #1: Make it invisible
• [8:40] Step #2: Make it unattractive
• [10:06] Step #3: Make it difficult
• [11:52] Step #4: Make it unsatisfying

What is your bad habit?

What is your worst bad habit? Describe that behavior. What is undesirable about the habit that you want to break? What is offensive about it? What does it keep you from obtaining? Why do you want to change? What do you want to do instead? Are you committed to improving? If you are not committed, breaking your habit will never work.

Clarify your bad habit, why you have it, why you want to change, and why it is good for you to change so you can develop a plan to overcome it. Many habits happen automatically—but you still choose the behavior. It is frustrating to try to change a habit through willpower alone. So what is a smarter way to conquer your automatic behavior? What is the first thing you need to do?

Step #1: Make it invisible

James Clear’s first law is to make it invisible. How can you reduce your exposure to your bad habit? If your habit is spending too much time on your phone, you can silence your phone or charge it in another room. If you drink too much, clear the booze out of your house. The goal is to reduce how much that habit is confronting you.

Step #2: Make it unattractive

How do you make a bad habit unattractive? Reframe your mindset. What are the benefits of avoiding bad habits? If I avoid my bad habit, I will get more sleep because I will go to bed sooner. Secondly, I will fall asleep easier if I do not spend time on my phone or watching TV. Consistently highlight the benefits of avoiding your bad habits to make them seem less attractive.

Step #3: Make it difficult

Place multiple steps between you and your bad habits. Restrict future choices to ones that benefit you. If you want to spend less time on social media, what can you do? Log out of social media apps or uninstall them from your phone. If you got rid of the alcohol in your home, to get a drink, you have to drive to the liquor store. Is it worth it? Likely not.

Step #4: Make it unsatisfying

Ask someone to watch your behavior. Make the cost of your bad habits public and painful. If you know someone is watching and judging you, you are less likely to do something. You can also ask an accountability partner to give you a consequence for your actions. What would be a consequence that would keep you from continuing your bad habits?

It’s time to learn from your past mistakes and break your bad habits. What will you change moving forward?

Resources Mentioned

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

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Podcast Disclaimer:

The Best In Wealth Podcast is hosted by Scott Wellens. Scott Wellens is the principal at Fortress Planning Group. Fortress Planning Group is a registered investment advisory firm regulated by the Securities Act of Wisconsin in accordance and compliance with securities laws and regulations. Fortress Planning Group does not render or offer to render personalized investment or tax advice through the Best In Wealth Podcast. The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, investment or legal advice.

About the author, Scott Wellens

Scott Wellens, CFP® is an investment advisor and founder of Fortress Planning Group. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Scott quickly ascended to become a Vice President of North American Sales at a major regional provider of telecommunications infrastructure. While financially successful in this role, Scott searched for ways to pursue his passion related to financial literacy and providing financial freedom for both his own family and others. During his search, Scott became curious about the significant gap he found in the financial services sector: he was unable to find a comprehensive financial planner that maintained a family stewardship lens without being attached to financial products. Scott decided to fill that gap by creating his own planning firm that maintains a strong passion for comprehensive, unbiased wealth planning that is genuinely client-centered.

Scott resides in Menomonee Falls, WI with his family. He is the father of three active and independent daughters who keep him on his toes. Scott is an active community member, serving on the Hamilton Education Foundation Board, serves as a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace facilitator and leads the All Pro Dad’s group at their local elementary school. Scott enjoys spending his free time visiting state parks with his family, reading, and watching the Milwaukee Bucks and the Green Bay Packers win ball games.

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