Gaelen
04-01-2006, 06:33 AM
Since we're all pretty busy on weekends, I thought it might be easier for today's Positive Steps thread to combine Saturday and Sunday. So, here we go...
Whatever behavior you're trying to create or change, this is an exercise from "Change One Habit, Change Your Life" by Lynn Cutts, that can give you a concrete picture of the benefits you'll get from building that new habit. When you need a little extra motivation, try this exercise for your chosen behavior:
"(This is a) virtual coaching (exercise) to help you get started changing your habit right now. Grab a pen and some paper, and let's go! Just jot down your answers to the queries below - or just play along in your head.
What habit do you want to change that will make your life better? Take a second or two and write it down.
Below that, make a list of what it costs you, every day, to continue to not change that habit. Try to come up with at least five items-more, if possible.
Now, take a minute or two, or even three, and really think about the cost of not changing that habit. You might ask yourself, "Where will I be in three, five, or ten years, if I don't make that change?" Use your imagination. (You can't do this wrong.) Go ahead and write down what you've discovered. (If you're more of a visual person, you can draw a picture instead.) A written record can serve as a great reminder later on, when your motivation slips. Not a pretty picture, is it? Well, let's flip it around.
Draw a line from side to side on your paper. Below that line, make a list of the wonderful advantages you'll enjoy if you do change your habit. Again, try to come up with at least five items.
Done? Great. Just as before, take a couple of minutes to think about the benefits of changing that habit. What will it give you? Let your imagination run away with you. And don't forget to ask yourself: "What will my life be like in three, or five, or even ten years if I do change that habit?" Focus on the good stuff. Write this down, too.
Now you can clearly see the advantages of changing that habit. (I hope) you're a bit more motivated now."
When you're trying to change or build a habit, it's important to recognize how critical positive motivation can be. Did this exercise help you, or do you think you'll be more successful if you just try to, as Cutts puts it, "gut it out with plain old self-discipline and will power." In the past, how has that discipline-and-will-power thing worked out? If you change your approach, will you make the change you want to see possible?
Whatever behavior you're trying to create or change, this is an exercise from "Change One Habit, Change Your Life" by Lynn Cutts, that can give you a concrete picture of the benefits you'll get from building that new habit. When you need a little extra motivation, try this exercise for your chosen behavior:
"(This is a) virtual coaching (exercise) to help you get started changing your habit right now. Grab a pen and some paper, and let's go! Just jot down your answers to the queries below - or just play along in your head.
What habit do you want to change that will make your life better? Take a second or two and write it down.
Below that, make a list of what it costs you, every day, to continue to not change that habit. Try to come up with at least five items-more, if possible.
Now, take a minute or two, or even three, and really think about the cost of not changing that habit. You might ask yourself, "Where will I be in three, five, or ten years, if I don't make that change?" Use your imagination. (You can't do this wrong.) Go ahead and write down what you've discovered. (If you're more of a visual person, you can draw a picture instead.) A written record can serve as a great reminder later on, when your motivation slips. Not a pretty picture, is it? Well, let's flip it around.
Draw a line from side to side on your paper. Below that line, make a list of the wonderful advantages you'll enjoy if you do change your habit. Again, try to come up with at least five items.
Done? Great. Just as before, take a couple of minutes to think about the benefits of changing that habit. What will it give you? Let your imagination run away with you. And don't forget to ask yourself: "What will my life be like in three, or five, or even ten years if I do change that habit?" Focus on the good stuff. Write this down, too.
Now you can clearly see the advantages of changing that habit. (I hope) you're a bit more motivated now."
When you're trying to change or build a habit, it's important to recognize how critical positive motivation can be. Did this exercise help you, or do you think you'll be more successful if you just try to, as Cutts puts it, "gut it out with plain old self-discipline and will power." In the past, how has that discipline-and-will-power thing worked out? If you change your approach, will you make the change you want to see possible?