Our days are made up of so many choices. Some of those choices we can be happy about because they align with the person we want to be, our values, our intentions. On the other hand, some of those choices we may not be happy about because they keep us stuck in old patterns of thinking and doing. They detract from our quality of life.
The trick is to rewind the tape and identify where are things going right and where are things going wrong? Then, rewind the tape even more. How did that good decision about going to the gym early in the morning even happen? Maybe you went to bed earlier the night before. Maybe you promised a friend you would meet at the gym at a certain time. Maybe you set out your gym clothes and work attire so that you would have no excuses for skipping the gym... Then rewind the tape again and realize how you felt having done what you intended to. How did it make your day go? What was the payoff? Repeat!
Alternatively, hitting the rewind button works for bad habits too. Consider the nightly dinner challenge. What are we having? What is there to make? How long will it take? The time to plan dinner is not at dinner. The time to plan is over the weekend during a big grocery shopping trip or when making a food delivery order. Rewind to discover how that planning may have broken down? Rewind again to notice what circumstances led up to it? Maybe you went out of town and were too tired to grocery shop when you got back and now you've been doing take out for three days since. STOP. Consider what you can do now--knowing that when you are tired and away for the weekend when you normally shop or order, you need to have a PLAN B in place so that you can be successful with dinners. That's it. Promise yourself that next time, you will follow through on your PLAN B so that you can be more successful.
I am breaking a bad habit I've developed at the grocery store by using this rewind technique. I realized that even before I go to the grocery store, I give myself permission to buy a small baggie of bulk candy. I don't want to be buying bulk candy every time I am there, so I am consciously NOT giving myself permission when I go.
Pick one thing this week to focus on, and find yourself being more successful, happier and more fulfilled. Then REPEAT.
Karen, just took a quick look at October WW calendar and it reflects the Lifetime meeting as the 3rd Saturday instead of second. Would you please confirm. Thanks, Barb
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