7 Mistakes You're Making with Your Habits (And How to Fix Them Using the CHANGE Framework)

We’ve all been there. It’s January 1st, or maybe just a particularly motivated Monday morning. You wake up, declare that "today is the day everything changes," and you set out to overhaul your life. You’re going to hit the gym, eat clean, read for an hour, and finally start that side hustle.

By Thursday, the gym feels like a chore. By next Tuesday, the pizza delivery guy is back on speed dial.

Why does this happen? Is it because you lack "discipline"? Is it because you aren’t "motivated" enough?

At Brady Young Change, we believe the answer is much simpler: You aren't failing; your system is. Habits aren't about grit; they are about architecture. In our flagship guide, CHANGE, we break down transformation into six key pillars: Communication, Habits, Attitude, Network, Goals, and Education.

If you aren't seeing the results you want, you're likely falling into one of these seven common habit traps. Here is how to fix them using the CHANGE framework.

1. Relying on Willpower Instead of Systems (The 'Habits' Pillar)

The biggest mistake people make is thinking that habits are a test of character. They treat every morning like a battle against their own laziness.

Research shows that willpower is like a battery, it drains throughout the day. If your habit depends on you having a "strong will" at 6:00 PM after an eight-hour workday, you’ve already lost.

The Fix: Build a system, not a struggle. In the Habits pillar of the CHANGE framework, we focus on Environment Design. If you want to drink more water, don't "try harder" to remember; put a liter of water on your desk before you start work. If you want to workout, lay your clothes out the night before.

Stop fighting yourself and start designing a life where the right choice is the easiest one.

2. Ignoring the People Around You (The 'Network' Pillar)

You’ve heard the saying: "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." This isn't just a motivational quote; it’s a biological reality. Habits are contagious. If your entire inner circle spends their weekends binge-watching Netflix and eating junk food, your "habit" of healthy eating will feel like an uphill battle.

The Fix: Audit your Network. Building a high-performer inner circle doesn't mean you have to fire your old friends, but it does mean you need to seek out people who have the habits you want. Join a running club, find a mastermind group, or engage with our community at PodCentral Publishing. When your environment supports your goals, the habits become automatic because they are part of your social identity.

3. The "All or Nothing" Goal Trap (The 'Goals' Pillar)

Mistake number three: Aiming too big, too soon. Most people set "Outcome Goals" (I want to lose 30 pounds) instead of "Process Goals" (I want to walk for 10 minutes). When you aim for the mountain peak without looking at the path, you get overwhelmed and quit at the first sign of soreness.

The Fix: Create a roadmap with the Goals pillar. In CHANGE, we teach you to break down massive transformations into tiny, non-negotiable actions. Use the 2-Minute Rule: make your habit so small it’s impossible to say no to. Instead of "Read for an hour," your goal is "Read one page." Instead of "Run a 5k," your goal is "Put on my running shoes."

Master the art of showing up before you worry about the intensity.

4. Letting Your Mindset Sabotage Your Progress (The 'Attitude' Pillar)

Your habits will never outgrow your self-image. If you are trying to quit smoking but still tell people "I’m trying to quit," you are identifying as a smoker who is struggling. This creates "cognitive dissonance": a mental friction that eventually breaks your habit.

The Fix: Shift your Attitude from 'Trying' to 'Being'. Transformation starts with identity. Instead of saying "I'm trying to write a book," say "I am a writer." In our book CHANGE, we emphasize that perspective shifts are the fuel for long-term consistency. When you change how you see yourself, your habits naturally align with that new vision.

5. Winging It Without Data (The 'Education' Pillar)

Many people fail because they don't understand the science of how their brain works. They don't know about "Habit Stacking" or "Implementation Intentions." They are trying to build a skyscraper without an engineering degree.

The Fix: Commit to Education. The Education pillar is about continuous learning and research-backed methods. Did you know that it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, not 21? Or that "If-Then" planning (e.g., "If I finish my coffee, then I will write my to-do list") can double your chances of success?

Don't just work hard; work smart. Dig into the research we provide in the CHANGE guide to understand the neurobiology of transformation.

6. Neglecting Your Inner Dialogue (The 'Communication' Pillar)

How do you talk to yourself when you miss a day? If your inner voice is a drill sergeant who calls you a "failure" and a "loser," you are creating a negative association with your habit. Your brain will eventually want to avoid the habit just to avoid the verbal abuse that follows.

The Fix: Master Communication (Mastery and Leadership). Leadership starts with how you lead yourself. Use the Communication pillar to practice self-compassion and clear, internal instructions. Instead of "I have to go to the gym," try "I get to invest in my health today." Words have power. The way you frame your journey determines whether you’ll enjoy the ride or jump off at the first exit.

7. Making Emotional Instead of Strategic Decisions (The 'Business Decision Making' Insight)

We often treat our habits as "emotional" choices: we do them when we "feel" like it. But life change is a series of executive decisions. In Brad Young’s #1 bestselling book, Business Decision Making, we learn that the most successful leaders remove emotion from the process and rely on strategic frameworks.

The Fix: Treat your life like a business. When you wake up and don't "feel" like working on your habit, look at your strategy, not your feelings. Would a CEO skip a board meeting because they felt "a little tired"? No. They follow the protocol. Use the principles from Business Decision Making to create a standard operating procedure (SOP) for your life. When the system is set, the decision is already made.

Putting It All Together: The CHANGE Checklist

Transforming your life isn't about a single "eureka" moment. It’s about the consistent application of the CHANGE framework across your daily routines.

• Communication: Are you speaking to yourself like a leader?

• Habits: Is your environment designed for success?

• Attitude: Do you see yourself as the person you want to become?

• Network: Does your inner circle pull you up or drag you down?

• Goals: Is your roadmap broken down into manageable steps?

• Education: Are you using proven research to optimize your growth?

Ready to Take Control?

If you’re tired of the cycle of starting and stopping, it’s time to move beyond willpower.

1. Get the Book: Pick up your copy of CHANGE or the #1 bestseller Business Decision Making to get the full roadmap.

2. Listen and Learn: Subscribe to our latest episodes on the PodCentral Publishing Network. We dive deep into these topics every week with world-class experts and real-life success stories.

3. Start Small: Pick one of the mistakes above and fix it today. Not tomorrow. Today.

Your future self is waiting. What will you CHANGE today?