I have a bad habit. No, it’s not sexual, no matter what you may have been imagining. Still, it’s too embarrassing to tell you. It’s just a bad habit which causes me some discomfort. I don’t like it.
I’ve tried many strategies to stop it. None of them have worked.
Recently, I realize that there’s an antecedent. There was something I did every time just before I did the bad habit, and I never did bad habit without doing the antecedent first. I started spotting the antecedent. Every time the antecedent began, I said, “Antecedent!” Then I stopped doing it.
I have stopped the bad habit. Pretty much.
The Tip: When one strategy doesn’t work, try another one.
doug
Links:
Using spotting to change a habit.
Bonus Link:
ADHD and marriage, or relationship. (Is anyone getting married anymore?)
Anyone can make a mistake, we just do it more often.
ADDadultstrategies 
the bad habit tip ? r u jokin what was ur bad habit y can u not say and how is saying aoloud “antecedent ” goin yo help,,,,, also bad habits eg nailbiting etc I,,,u don’t realise until u already done it , then too late to say your magic word antecendant,, wotevwer that means,, forget this bullony people , bad habits often stem from feeling uncomfortable at that time ,, its a comfort zone thing, when anxious ya can stammer, physical jumpiness, nailbiting, u can even cough, blink , chew repettetively, get more into anxiety management ,, awreness of breathing , helps lower heart rate etc,, plus I find exposure gettin outside ya comfy zone helps especially with dealin with people, eye to eye contact,
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dave -you bring up a lot of good strategies for coping with stress or anxiety.
the antecedent does help me. It means something that comes before. I haven’t been able to stop the habit, but I found that the antecedent always came before, and that I can stop the antecedent. I use the strategy of spotting, catching myself starting the antecedent, and naming it. I am able to stop the antecedent, and so the habit doesnt happen. This a general strategy for stopping any undesirable behavior.
thank you for commenting
doug
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