28 - Would you make one change, to achieve your goals?

What are you prepared to give up, if it meant you would achieve your goals?

This week my partner Jem has not stopped talking about a podcast he listened to with James Clear, the author of the best selling book Atomic Habits. In particular,  the thought process of removing a bad habit, over starting a new good one.

This got me thinking about one of the "bad habits" that I have stopped this year, alcohol. Now, I really enjoy a cool beer on a warm summer day like many do, but as 2023 came to a close and I was reflecting on the year ahead I knew that 2024 was going to be a big one. The decision to stop drinking was primarily driven by my ambition to achieve some significant personal and professional objectives in 2024, which meant more to me than alcohol.

Now we are in October, I can reflect and share that I feel I have learned a lot about myself and embraced both the positives and negatives. From that have some tips for success that I hope can inspire others who may wish to remove a bad habit from their life.

Do you know the one thing or habit that is holding you back from achieving your goals? And, are you prepared to make a change?

There are two strategies that have helped me along the way, and I think they can be applied to removing most bad habits. 1) Avoid temptation and, 2) Find better alternatives.

• Avoid Temptation: In my case, whilst I think it is amazing that non-alcoholic drinks including beers are now readily available, I realised it is easier to avoid temptation and triggers entirely so decided to go for non alcohol inspired soft drinks from the start. I don't mind being in social settings around alcohol, but the amount definitely reduced when I stopped drinking which helped.
• Find Alternatives You Love: Discovering new drinks that I enjoyed was key. Sparkling water with a splash of cordial became my go-to beverage, it is refreshing and satisfies not just my taste but also the ritual of having a drink in hand.

There have been many positive outcomes too, some that I didn't expect:

• Better Sleep: Absolutely the best thing that has come from stopping drinking alcohol is my improved quality of sleep that I now have! Nights are more restful, I fall asleep very fast and wake up feeling refreshed which has boosted my mood and productivity immensely.
• Clarity: With a clear head, I've been able to focus on what is important and have made huge progress where before I wouldn't have done. The mental fog that accompanied drinking disappeared, I use evenings to be productive (not drunk) and do things I love. 
• No Hangovers: Mornings are now fresh starts, not recovery sessions. The energy I once lost to hangovers is now channelled into my family and projects.
• Caloric Awareness: Calculating the "empty" calories I used to consume through alcohol was eye-opening. As I focussed more on my business and career, my fitness has taken an intentional backseat this year, I have found that avoiding alcohol has helped me to maintain a healthy weight whilst my physical movement has decreased.
• Social Acceptance: Surprisingly, my social life remained intact. Friends, family and colleagues didn't care if I was drinking or not, the pressure was self-imposed. This realisation freed me from unnecessary concerns.
• Freedom in Flexibility: I love that I no longer have to worry about transport logistics and am more than happy to be the designated driver if ever we are attending an event or evening out. This was an extra perk that I had never considered before and others have benefitted too.

While there were plenty of highs, I won't pretend it was always easy. Social cues and the habitual nature of drinking were sometimes tough to navigate especially when we went to Germany for our summer break, where drinking is a huge part of their culture. Overall, the decision to stop drinking for this year has proven massively rewarding.

So, would you be prepared to stop a bad habit if it meant that you could make progress in the areas in your life that you wanted to?

A few steps from me:

1. Identify the thing that is holding you back
2. Are you prepared to stop this habit? If so, for how long (be specific)?
3. What temptations can you remove from your life to help you?
4. What alternatives can you find?
5. Can you find someone to support you or an accountability pod?

The decision to stop drinking alcohol this year has been quite a radical, challenging yet rewarding one. I have made great progress towards my objectives, and know for certain that I would not be where I am today professionally and personally if I had continued the habit. With intention and a strategy, you can set yourself up for success too.

Drop me a message with the one bad habit you are prepared to change.

Always with love,
Elsa