If someone falls and you see, what’s the first thing that would come out of your mouth? Would it be, “I knew you were going to fall” or maybe, “You’re going to have a hard time walking in those shoes. Maybe you should just go back home.” Even if you thought one of these things you probably wouldn’t say it out loud. Case in point, you might more readily say one of these things to yourself if you failed.
Creating new habits is not an easy endeavor but the payback is worth the effort. Disappointment is inevitably. The trick is to not dwell on your mishaps but to rise up quickly and get back on the path you want to walk.
The Test
Here’s a great example of what can happen when you decide to start creating new habits. Two days ago I decided to go on a mental diet. I was tired of allowing myself to be complacent and detached from how I operate inside. I didn’t want to stay in certain emotional states anymore.
A Diet of Empowering Thoughts and Words
For ten days I am only allowing myself to think positive, empowering thoughts. Sound exciting or challenging? Whenever I think a limiting thought or find myself in a negative emotion that I don’t want to be feeling, I must change my internal atmosphere immediately. This is done by asking myself powerful questions like, “What’s not perfect about my situation yet?” and “What am I grateful for right now?” Also, I can change the way I feel by wisely choosing the words that come out of my mouth. Two different words, Completely Overwhelmed and Frustrated, hold two different emotional intensities. You try saying both words and notice how each word makes you feel.
If I catch myself thinking thoughts that bring me down or using words that will negatively affect my emotions, I am to quickly change. If I stay in that state for longer than 2 minutes I must start my ten days over again. You can see the pressure to stay on track is helpful. No one wants to start from day 1 again…but I had to. I goofed. I slowly let the pressure inside me build instead of looking at my situation objectively.
I let impatience take over me and the result was tension.
Really, What’s the Point?
The point of this mental exercise is to change my mental habits. You might be working on increasing your physical health. Maybe you want to change the way you treat your children, co-workers or patients so you start to examine your heart to make necessary changes. All new habits need to become ingrained before they will be sustained.
How you treat yourself while making important personal changes will either help or hinder you from progressing with your goals. Treat yourself the way a dear friend would treat you.
Two Choices
When I mess up I can look at that as an opportunity for growth and learning. How will we ever move forward if we don’t realize what’s blocking us? “Messing up” gives us an opportunity to have more clarity and apply that clarity to our lives to become greater.
Another way of looking at the situation could be that I failed, once again, and I really shouldn’t be suprised. I should expect failure. This type of thought pattern will lead you further and further down the rabbit hole until you simply stop trying to improve your life.
The Power Lies In Your Decision
Often we get lazy and continue acting, speaking and thinking in a way that doesn’t serve us or the people around us. Sometimes we think our behavior is justified. Truly, YOU are in control of YOU. YOU are given a choice everyday of how you will live and operate. No one else’s behavior makes you respond a certain way. Too much time or lack thereof doesn’t make it possible or not to change your habits. Work with what you have to change what you want to. You may be suprised how much power lies in your decision.
Be honest with yourself when you are starting to evaluate what personal changes you need to make-for you and those who have to deal with your adopted habits. Start with bite sized habits that are easier to shift. And remember, keep your eyes on the goal, not on your inability.
Have a great day!
Amy
