Tip Of The Week

Behaviour Change

Why don't people do the things that are best for them? Dr David Harris of AlphaOne® on how to assist people to make change in their life.

Professor Trim

One of the key indicators for behaviour change is the decisional balance. This is when the pro's outweigh the con's in the decision making process by the individual.

If you are thinking, what am I on about here? Let's look at it in practical terms. When someone does not wish to make any change they are focusing on the con's, all the reason not to make change. If we were talking about exercise, the common con's are:

'I don't have time'
'I don't have enough energy'
'It will take time away from my family'.

If on the other hand that same person were to change these statements around, they may well start to become pro's e.g.:

'I am really busy, so I will have to plan well'
'Regular activity gives me optimum energy'
'I can get active with the kids at the same time'.

All of a sudden these are now pro's and the barriers are starting to fall away. This is a key part of behaviour change and we can facilitate the process through continual education and support to reduce any defenses.

Keep focusing on the pro's and try not to let those con's get any weight in the decisional balance. Complete the following health tool Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale to help build your pro's for Exercise Enjoyment.

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Tip Of The Week

Behaviour Change

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