Habits can both help and hinder. The trick is to determine which habits are the helpful ones and which habits are the ones that don’t help. For example, if you routinely take part in items in the “Don’t” category of training presentations, you may want to consider breaking those habits.
Here are tips to jump-start your journey to making sure your habits are working for you.
1: Become aware of your habits
In order to break bad habits or reinforce positive ones, it is necessary to become aware of them. Habits are often something we do without thinking. If habits are our action on autopilot, then becoming aware of them will require a manual override.
Focus on being present and in the moment while training so you can identify actions or speech patterns that you seem to do out of habit. Take stock of what you are doing, thinking and feeling, and even the environment around you. What you’re looking for is something that might trigger the habit.
2: Believe in yourself
Once you’ve identified an unhelpful or negative training habit such as pacing back and forth or speaking too quickly, it is important to recognize your ability to modify or change it. Your subconscious mind believes everything you tell it, so tell yourself you can take steps to alter your behavior.
A positive mindset is critical to changing your bad habits. If you see them as insurmountable, they will be. Instead, try putting your goals in writing. Write down both what you want to stop doing and what you want to start doing. Read it a few times to be sure it is clear to you.
3: Stick with it
Depending on the habit, it can take an average of 66 days to create, and potentially longer if you’re working to replace an existing habit. One great way to help you stick with your goals is to write down the answers to these questions:
- What do you want to achieve?
- Why it is important to succeed?
- How will this make you feel?
- How will you benefit?
- How will others benefit?
Keep this list with you and read it regularly. You can always modify it as you are gaining momentum and realizing the benefits.
“Once you understand that habits can be rebuilt, the power becomes easier to grasp, and the only option left is to get to work.”
Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Are you ready to master the training techniques and philosophies that will keep your class and staff engaged? Our Presentation Skills course can help you incorporate the skills you need. Contact us today!
Additional Resources:
- Know the basic do’s and dont’s of training presentations and how to set yourself up for success.
- Improve your trainers presentation development and delivery skills to ensure excellence when presenting to clients.
- Employee engagement, emerging leaders, and improved customer experience. Contact us today!