Patterns generally involve repetitive action,
A task or behavior engaged infrequently,
Often without giving it much thought.
Much daily behavior is fairly automatic,
An activity done so many times that it feels comfortable and there is no inherent harm in it.
Or it's a behavior that we are reluctant to change because of a reward associated with it.
Toxic behavioral patterns are also often automatic,
Don't necessarily present themselves as inherently harmful and they are more likely to continue due to the associated reward.
Same patterns have caused trouble in the past,
Are currently contributing to problems at home,
Work or elsewhere,
Yet it may be difficult to recognize and change them.
And it's necessary to be able to recognize behavioral patterns that are toxic before deciding on ways to halt and change them.
Even when we recognize toxic behavior,
We are still reluctant to change.
We may want to change,
Yet remain fearful of doing so.
Getting past fears of the unknown may be an insurmountable obstacle.
Hearing from others that change is good and should be embraced does little to mitigate such fear.
The truth is that overcoming fear is a uniquely personal process.
Still,
Listening to the recommendation of others about what worked effectively for them can be very helpful in motivating those resistant to change to embark on such self-improvement journey.
Indeed,
Sometimes it's only after hearing this type of encouragement that true change can begin.
So recognizing toxic behavioral patterns is the initial step to take before doing anything about them.
After recognizing patterns,
It's easier to make informal decisions about what to do in the future.
