We make bad choices sometimes. I could so be the poster child for this--the list of my bad choices has to be longer than Santa's naughty-or-nice list. You know why? We're human. And some of us can get a little more human than others if you know what I mean, but we all have the tools at our disposal to get out of bad choices.

First, figure out why you did it. It really goes a long way in terms of sorting the whole mess out. Did you hook up with a guy at a club last night, much to the hurt and anger of your significant other? It's possible that you're harboring some real questions and hesitancy about your relationship, and you're venting it by engaging in self-destructive behavior. Are you making bad decisions about what you put in your body, from food to drugs to alcohol? Chances are you're overcompensating for something else in your life that you, for whatever reason, aren't willing to deal with just yet.

But looking for good advice to get out of bad choices is the best start you can make. And I more than most know how difficult it is to take a hard, bracing look at yourself, your life, and your choices and see where you need to improve, so sometimes it really helps to get support. I like to talk things over with a really good friend, but for more serious, chronic issues you might want to talk to a professional--they can help you sort out the "why" of bad choices.

Second, be accountable. I'm sure people have told you that "it's not real until I tell someone about it." This is true in a number of ways--telling someone (usually the one person you DON"T want to tell) usually means you're running straight into the consequences of the matter. Did you cheat on a girlfriend? Tell her. Don't give me any of that "but it will only hurt her and make me feel better" stuff. That is true, but everyone deserves to be in an honest relationship. You hurt her already; she just doesn't know it yet. Are you making really self destructive choices with food, alcohol, or drugs? Tell someone that loves you and won't judge you--it's the same thing as above. You've already hurt them--or scared them--they just don't know it yet. And airing the dirty laundry is the first step to getting out of bad choices, because they will be the mirror through which you can frankly see how much you're hurting yourself.

Third, create a plan of action. When you start a diet, they tell you to identify your triggers--things that make you lose control. These could be as varied as wanting to smoke when you have a cup of coffee or wanting to drink every time you see your mother. Whatever they are, bad choices are habits, and habits start somewhere. Knowing where they began can help you put an end to them.

Fourth, Finally, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, forgive yourself. Like I said at the start, you're only human. We're all going to make mistakes. Popular wisdom has it that if you stop a habit for 21 days, the habit is broken. 21 days is all that's standing between you and a new life, full of choices that you make yourself--so how's that for a clean slate?

Good luck friends!

...and as always, check out my final word.