There's an old saying that it takes 7 days to create a habit and 14 days to break a habit. I don't know how true it is, but it does seem likely. I know I can start bad habits in 7 days or less, but breaking them is always harder.

I found that self determination is a key factor. Just saying I want to quit, doesn't make it so. (If only it did!) A support person or group is also very helpful. I find that if I am held accountable not only to myself, but by someone else, I am more apt to try harder to stop. I hate letting other people down!When choosing a support person or group it is important to find one that is encouraging and not a disciplinarian. Encouragment will help you stay on track to breaking that habit more than condemnation for slipping. Not to mention, if you are a rebel by nature than the condemnation may very well be one of the triggers to the bad habit!!

Bad habits come in many forms and there are many factors to the bad habit. Determine the triggers of the bad habit first and foremost. This will arm you with awareness of the pending habit before you do it. You can keep a journal and write down what you were doing when the bad habit happened. What was going on around you, who you were with, etc. Continue with the journal and everyday write how you did on breaking the habit for that day. Remember when doing this that it is to help keep you focused on changing something you don't like, not a self-condemnation exercise. Think positive!!!

Be consistent. This is probably the hardest part. I find it easy to be consistent for about a week, then after that I tend to get lazy about the effort. Without the effort, the bad habit takes hold again.

Sometimes you can replace a bad habit with a good habit. Instead of eating that chocolate as a snack, make up celery with peanut butter.

Turn that bad habit into a profitable habit! Make a monetary penalty decision. For one month, every time I do this, I will put $1.00 in a jar. At the end of the month, reward yourself with something you want...as long as it is not the habit you are trying to break!!

Visualize the goal. Daydream about what it would be like if you did not do the bad habit. How would you feel? Happy, have more energy, less stressed, etc.

Finally, Don't give up!! If you don't suceed the first time, don't give up. Try again with a different approach or combine approaches. Personal accountability, determination and support, armed with those three things and you'll be on the road to saying good-bye to that bad habit!