
140. Why Do I Go Back? | How to Change Your Habits by Becoming Who You Want to Be
Why Do I Do This? with Johnny LawrenceShow Notes
Why do so many people struggle to change behaviours they know aren’t good for them? Often, we focus on stopping the behaviour, but we don’t replace what it gave us. That leaves a void, and when that void isn’t filled, it can pull us straight back into old patterns. In this episode, I introduce The M.A.D.E. Model, a self-leadership framework I created through my own journey of overcoming a problematic relationship with alcohol. Instead of focusing on what you’re trying to stop, the M.A.D.E. Model helps you focus on who you want to become through four pillars: Morals, Ambitions, Drivers, and Environments. This episode will help you lead yourself away from behaviours that hold you back and towards the person you want to become.
Takeaways 👉 Stopping a behaviour isn’t enough; removing a habit without replacing it creates a void. 👉 Focus on who you want to become; identity drives lasting behaviour change. 👉 Morals create alignment; your values guide better decisions. 👉 Ambitions and drivers create direction; knowing what you want and why keeps you moving forward. 👉 Environment shapes behaviour; design your surroundings to support the person you’re becoming.
SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER HERE https://www.johnnylawrence.co.uk/newsletter
The Self M.A.D.E. Course https://www.johnnylawrence.co.uk/course
The Self M.A.D.E. Life Audit https://www.johnnylawrence.co.uk/self-made-lifeau
Website www.johnnylawrence.co.uk
Johnny’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theselfdevelopmentcoach/?hl=en-gb
The Slavey of Addiction Documentary https://youtu.be/8j3Nq_lcFlY?si=6I0kXppX9prFFoin
More from Why Do I Do This? with Johnny Lawrence
In this episode of Why Do I Do This? with Johnny Lawrence, I explore what happens when the roles and responsibilities that have defined our lives begin to change, and we realise we're no longer sure who we are without them.
In this episode of Why Do I Do This? with Johnny Lawrence, I explore why we can become so dependent on other people's approval that we start losing touch with who we really are.
In this episode of Why Do I Do This? with Johnny Lawrence, I explore why we can become trapped by regret, replaying old mistakes and judging our past selves with the knowledge we have today. We look at the difference between regret and rumination, why context matters when looking back, and how comparing ourselves to an imaginary version of where we think we “should” be can keep us stuck. I also share practical ways to reframe your past, practise self-forgiveness and use what happened then to change what happens next. Because you can't change what happened. But you can change what it means.
In this episode of Why Do I Do This? with Johnny Lawrence, I sit down with Nina Aouilk, a life coach and survivor of profound trauma, to explore her remarkable journey from homelessness and adversity to self-love, faith and purpose. Nina shares how childhood trauma, fear and painful experiences shaped her identity, and what it took to begin rebuilding her life. We explore the courage it takes to live authentically, the importance of boundaries and why learning to say no can be an act of self-respect. We also discuss emotional regulation, spirituality, healing and the power of small, consistent steps. Finding yourself is less about becoming someone else and more about finding the courage to be who you really are.
In this episode of Why Do I Do This? with Johnny Lawrence, I explore one of the most misunderstood patterns in human behaviour: self-sabotage. What if you're not actually trying to sabotage yourself? What if the behaviour you're calling self-sabotage is actually an attempt to self-soothe, pulling you back to something familiar and comfortable when fear or uncertainty feels uncomfortable? I explore how behavioural loops, identity, familiarity, and fear can keep us repeating patterns we know aren't helping us, and why success can sometimes feel more threatening than failure. Most importantly, I look at how curiosity and self-awareness can help us interrupt those patterns and develop healthier responses to discomfort.