Two challenges to permanent change

Dr. Steven R. Covey, author of the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" often talks about the importance of action.  Repeatedly throughout his work in the "7 Habits..." and "The 8th Habit", Dr. Covey stressess that much of  he and other management gurus teach is common sense.  The problem is that common sense does not equal common practice.  For example, it is common sense to do cardiovascular exercises to keep our heart strong.  It is not common practice.  It is common sense not to smoke tobacco products yet many still do and often go to great lengths to smoke given the smoking bans now in place.   Recently, I have witnessed many smokers braving the cold elements outside to smoke throwing all common sense out the window.

Another challenge we face in making change permanent is the ability and commitment to sustain those changes.  It is so very easy to revert back to old behavior once we have some progress or had the spotlight turned away from us.  For example, I have observed many times how individuals expend much effort and resources to lose weight only to gain it back and then some more in time.   Also, an employee will change behavior for a while after a counseling session or hard evaluation only to slip back to their old ways once the proverbial heat is off.

So, to effect a permanent change:  1) put that habit into practice and 2) commit oneself to that habit and 3) sustain the habit despite temptations otherwise.