How to Change Your Behavior?

We frequently need to change long-standing habits or behaviours to become more effective at work. The acronym AMESH stands for Awareness, Motivation, Education, Substitution, and Habit Replacement, which are the five steps required to modify any personal behaviour.

If you believe that certain behaviours are causing you difficulties – or if others have told you that they are – the AMESH formula might assist you in determining where to begin the reform process.

(1) Being aware
How can you address an issue if you don't know it exists?
Most of us assume we're doing OK till we receive negative feedback. Soliciting input from your manager, staff, clients, or coworkers on a regular basis is a fantastic idea.

(2) Inspiration
The fact that someone else has a problem with your actions does not mean you agree with them.
You won't be inspired to alter anything if you don't believe there is an issue. If someone suggests that your behaviour is problematic in some way, don't dismiss the possibility. Instead, strive to comprehend how your actions might effect others. Then you could be inspired to attempt some fresh ways.

(3) Education

After determining that changes are required, you must educate yourself on the precise behaviours that are causing issues.
You should request more specifics if your problem conduct has been defined in broad, ambiguous terms, such as "bad attitude," "poor communication," or "lack of initiative." Then you can decide what you want to change. Poor communication can imply you don't listen, don't write properly, aren't aggressive enough, or provide uninteresting presentations. Various challenges require different approaches.

(4) Replacement

When you stop one behaviour, you must automatically replace it with another.
Stopping speeding will cause you to drive more slowly. You will begin to talk more softly if you cease yelling. In fact, defining a behaviour change in positive terms rather than negative terms increases the likelihood of success. "I have to quit becoming angry," you might say, but that doesn't teach you what to do instead. However, setting a positive goal like "When I'm upset at meetings, I'm going to take deep breaths and speak calmly" is a good start. If you wish to stop a bothersome behaviour, you must first select what good action to replace it with.

(5) Replace old habits

New habits are formed as a result of a successful behaviour modification.
You have consistently adopted more effective acting and interacting strategies. But keep in mind that learning a new habit takes time, so be patient with yourself. You're bound to experience a few relapses because old habits don't evaporate suddenly.

Finally, keep in mind that people may not notice your shift in conduct right away. If you're waiting for applause, it could feel strangely quiet at first. There is always a disconnect between conduct and perception modification.