Studies show that most people start to make changes in their lives when they perceive a fresh start. Fresh starts can be anything that you perceive as a fresh start: a birthday, new year, new week, new month, new job, etc. Usually it involves something that we perceive as new. And these fresh starts are motivating, they get us to try to change something in our lives that we want to improve.
A new month is fast approaching which can provide you with a new fresh start, a new opportunity to improve. And I've recently heard about a technique that can be used to help you with whatever new habit you might want to try to adopt, it's called temptation bundling.
Temptation bundling is combining two things to help motivate you to stick to your new habit. For example, say that you love watching TV but you feel guilty about how much you watch and you are having a hard time exercising. You would simply combine these two activities into a temptation bundle by only allowing yourself to watch that new episode you're dying to watch if you are on a treadmill or an elliptical. This way you get to watch TV guilt-free plus you feel good about exercising.
Another temptation bundle example: only eating your favorite ice cream when your spouse and you sit down to go over the budget. You get to allow yourself a fun treat and it entices you to plan out your finances (which will enable you to have more money to buy more ice cream).
One more: You can't wait to read the latest Hunger Games novel but feel guilty hiding from your children every evening. Also, you want to try to be more active during your long work day. Bundle the two and allow yourself to listen to the novel while you take a walk during your lunch break.
So as we quickly move to a new month, take advantage of these little tips and tricks to change your behavior and enable yourself to get the best out of life. We are always happiest when we are growing and improving, so take advantage of a new-month fresh start in May and increase your happiness.
