The challenge of behaviour change

Having worked as a health professional for over a decade I am all too familiar with the challenge of behaviour change.
We know we should strive for more work/life balance - but few of us achieve this
We know we shouldn't drink too much, or smoke, or slouch at the computer, or eat fatty foods, or stay up late...... etc, etc.
So how do we tap into this process of positive, productive behaviour change?

I had a fascinating conversation with a young Dutch man last week who believes hypnotism is the way to do this as we bypass the conscious mind and communicate directly with the subconscious. In this "zone" he believes we can create new patterns of behaviour that are more healthy and productive.

Other training programs facilitate behaviour change through promoting greater insights at a conscious level. This can make one more aware of how we are influenced by our subconscious and encourage us to take direct and determined steps to change behaviour to being more satisfying and productive.

My Clinical Psychologist colleague at Positive Health Dr Ros Lethbridge often reminds me of the importance of control when it comes to behaviour change. If we can create improved insights in our workshops then we are achieving the first step in a path to behaviour change. But it has to go further and include...

• An internal locus of control ("I am in charge")
• Motivation and sense of purpose

But behaviour change also requires...

• An environment conducive to changing behaviours
• Peer support and encouragement

The "culture" of a workplace has a great deal of influence on our behaviour. Creating an atmosphere that encourages positive and healthy behaviour change is a great challenge for business. Those businesses that make ground in achieving this gain great rewards in productivity and performance.