“That’s it! I’ve had enough!”

You’ve resolved to break a bad habit that has gotten a stranglehold on your life. It could be as seemingly innocuous as biting your nails or checking your email too many times an hour (or minute!).

Or, it could be more worrisome habits, like an eating pattern that threatens your health, emotional responses that threaten your relationships, or shopping routines that threaten your financial security.

Whatever it is, you’ve come to the conclusion that these negative practices are enslaving you. You are ready to take control, determined to create positive and lasting change.

Now comes the hard part. How?

In the beginning of this week’s Torah portion, G‑d assured Moses that He will liberate the Jewish people from their Egyptian bondage.

“Say to the children of Israel: 'I am the L‑rd, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will save you from their labor, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.And I will take you to Me as a people, and I will be a G‑d to you, and you will know that I am the L‑rd your G‑d. . . . I will bring you to the land . . . ”

With these words, G‑d teaches us how to become a free nation. Moreover, we can use these steps to free ourselves from our personal enslavements.

1) I will bring you out.

Firstly, physically remove (“bring yourself out” and away from) the temptation. The chocolate bars or potato chips in your pantry are beckoning? Eliminate these unhealthy choices from your home! You’re checking your emails during quality time with loved ones? Turn off your phone!

2) I will save you.

Now that you’ve removed the negative temptation, fill the void with something positive (“save yourself” in a practical way). Feel an urge to munch on something unhealthy? Call a friend. Ready to lose your temper and lash out in anger? Listen to a Torah class or go for a walk to calm down.

3) I will redeem you.

You’ve taken proactive, practical steps to conquer your negative habits. Now it’s time to analyze how you got there in the first place. To eliminate the possibility of replacing one compulsion with another, you need to address its underlying cause (to “redeem yourself”). Was it boredom? Fear? Stress? Face the emotional issues that created this crutch.

4) I will take you to Me as a people.

After addressing your emotional landscape, it’s time to take a long, hard look at your spiritual welfare. The purpose of our redemption was to “take you to Me.” Strengthen your relationship with G‑d to ensure meaning, fulfillment, and purpose.

5) I will bring you to the land.

After exerting all the necessary effort, know that true freedom (bringing you to the promised land of your goals) comes only from G‑d. Remember: G‑d controls every aspect of our world, and our power comes only from Him.