Here are a few techniques that i have used to change many of my bad habits successfully:-

Commitment

Commitment is most important in any activity especially when changing bad habits. I have found that it often helps to publicise your commitment to change. Ways of doing this can be to tell this to your friends / family, publishing it on your blog and online forums. Once an announcement is made sending out a daily email update on your progress helps build your commitment strongly. The more you excert public pressure the more effective ti becomes.

Practice

As the saying goes “practice makes man perfect”, the same applies for changing habits as well. Changing your habit is a skill which requires commitment and practice. Commit yourself to a certain no of days, say 30, to overcome the bad habit and apply a new habit. If you fail don’t beat yourself up, but keep trying.

Motivation

Motivate yourself by thinking about the rewards you gain by changing your bad habits. Visualize how you would feel if you changed your bad habit.

Tracking

Keep track of your progress every day in a notepad. This may sound difficult, but it will make your habit change more successful. Keep the log book next to your bed and log your progress every day before you go to bed. Periodically reviewing the notes will motivate you and will make you feel great as you look back on your progress.

Rewards

This is one of the most effective techniques for change. Reward yourself at periodic intervals say every week and at the end of the committment period. This will keep you motivated and hungry for success.

Focus

It is extremely important that you keep your goal of changing your bad habits in focus. Always work on eliminating one bad habit at a time, else you will find that it’s difficult to maintain focus. In case you find that your focus is shifting, find ways to bring your focus back by using posters as reminders around your desk or your home. Send yourself e-mail reminders.

Positive Thinking

“As the mind thinks so it is”. If you constantly tell yourself that you can do this, that you will do this, then you certainly will. Keep yourself surrounded with positive affirmations.