You want to change your self-care habits and you can't seem to do it. Or, you realize that changing your self-care habits might be a good idea but you just can't seem to get on board and be sold on the idea. Maybe the words that you're thinking and saying are getting in your way.
Let's look at an example. You joined a gym and paid for the whole year. It's yours for the taking. Today is the day you'll go. What kind of thoughts might stop you?
- I might do the exercises wrong
- I'm fine the way I am, I don't need to go to the gym
- I have too much else to do
- I'll never be thin/healthy/strong so why bother
- I'll go tomorrow
So what can you do?
Whatever you say or think about yourself is what will come true ? choose what that will be! Rick Carson, who wrote the wonderful self-help book "Taming your gremlin", says, "a belief is just an opinion to which you've developed loyalty." Wow, if that's true, then you can challenge and even change your beliefs! I've decided that it's true ? how about you?
How to choose your words and thoughts more powerfully
1. Notice that your thoughts come and go and that you choose whether or not to pay attention to them. Play with how much you pay attention to them. When negative thoughts come up, try to purposefully "think positively" and tell yourself the opposite.
2. Instead of thinking and talking about what you DON'T want or what you DON'T like, focus your energies on the opposite. What DO you want? What DO you like? Have gratitude and appreciation when those things appear in your life and you will easily attract more of them.
3. Listen for when you say the word "but" ? especially at the beginning of a sentence. Notice what happens when you replace it with "AND". There are many things that can be true at any given time. When you say AND instead of BUT you're opening your mind to other truths.
4. Dr. Daniel G. Amen, author of "Change your brain, change your life", cautions negative thinkers to think before giving an "automatic no". He suggests taking a few deep breaths and deciding if this is what you truly want to say. For instance, if someone invites you to coffee, and you're staring at a pile of work, your inclination might be to say, "no, I don't have time for that." Stay with it for a moment - what would the payoff be of accepting the invitation? Maybe you will be more energized and motivated to finish your work once you've done something enjoyable.
5. Notice which words & thoughts seem to limit you and keep you from improving your self-care habits, and which ones seem to motivate and encourage you. Which ones get in your way and which ones expand your belief about what's possible?
6. Notice the impact of your chosen words on the people you are talking to and spending time with.
7. Notice how your self-care habits affect your mood and your ability to think positively. I know that if I don't eat balanced, healthy meals that are timed evenly throughout the day, or if I don't get enough sleep, I'm bound to get caught in some negative thinking that I have to consciously find my way out of.
So talk back to your negative thoughts:
- I might do the exercises wrong I can ask for help
- I'm fine the way I am, I don't need to go to the gym I'm fine and I will be even better when I'm taking better care of myself
- I have too much else to do Yes, and if I practice self-care I will be healthy and strong enough to do more things that I enjoy
- I'll never be thin/healthy/strong so why bother Every minute at the gym takes me closer to my goal
- I'll go tomorrow YES! And today as well
(c) Linda Dessau, 2005.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of "The Everyday Self-Care Workbook". To find out more about the book, or to receive one of her free monthly newsletters, visit http://www.genuinecoaching.com/resources.html
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Most of us carry on a running internal dialogue at... Read More
If I say the word "CHANGE" how do you feel?... Read More
Several years, I was listening to a radio talk show... Read More
Often when radical change occurs in our lives we feel... Read More
The surge of emotions.During the middle ages, the court jester... Read More
I've yet to meet the person who never struggles with... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
A joke is a way of getting people to laugh.... Read More
Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
It was the 10th day of rain, and I walked... Read More
Life is an enigma...It starts without our knowledge, grows without... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
I just heard the story of a man who hired... Read More
I heard these words from a client who had been... Read More
Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
Once we understand the difference our attitude makes in our... Read More
In speaking of comparison we need to be aware that... Read More
Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More
The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More
Visualization is the art of using ones imagination to influence... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..Looking for a bit more mindfulness in your daily life?... Read More
The other day I bought an unusual piece of software:... Read More
Many people who suffer from low self-esteem would give anything... Read More
In my work as a professional coach, I've had the... Read More
Our thoughts really belong to the collective consciousness of the... Read More
James Allen, who wrote the masterpiece, As a Man Thinketh,... Read More
What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
One day while in deep meditation and self analysis, a... Read More
Dr. Phil says each of us has a personal "truth"... Read More
Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm... Read More
The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
For most of us our lives are a problem which... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
Keep focusing on the fullness of your life: Keep remembering... Read More
Positive thinking in this day and age is a tool... Read More
So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More
Visualization is the art of using ones imagination to influence... Read More
So people will reject us no matter how good we... Read More
When you have a case of FABS, it may be... Read More
I was playing tennis today with one of my tennis... Read More
It would be pretty hard to become successful without first... Read More
For some reason, most people find it easier to think... Read More
Being the next Carmen Electra or Paris Hilton might or... Read More
You want to change your self-care habits and you can't... Read More
"Where are your bananas?" It seemed like a logical question... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |