Name It…Own It…Be Prepared

As you start your week, ask yourself each day:

WHAT DO I WANT FOR MYSELF TODAY?

WHAT ACTION DO I MOST WANT TO AVOID DOING TODAY?

When you’ve answered both questions, write them down someplace that you can see them periodically throughout the day.  When I make the choice of what I want for myself for the day and then what I want to avoid, I name it and own both responses.  As an example, for tomorrow, I might make the choice to now allow other people to cause me stress or frustration.  Then, as to what I want to avoid, I will choose to not eat over a situation or emotion that causes me stress or frustration – I will not fall into the trap of emotional eating.

Now, some of you may have used a variation of this strategy before. For example, you may have learned to “tackle difficult tasks first.” It may be, though, that looking at what you most want to *avoid* is a more beneficial tactic. First, it will challenge you to consider whether or not the items on your “to-do” list are truly designed to move you toward a worthy goal. Next, it will save you time and energy by keeping you focused on the actions you really need to take rather than the “busy work” we tend to get caught up in when trying to avoid something that feels uncomfortable or risky. And finally, once you’ve determined that the task you want to have in your day is indeed important, by doing it first, you accelerate your progress, even toward the achievement of other important goals.

Name what you want to take away for today.  It can be a specific task or to keep focused on your own well-being rather than impacted by external events.  By naming what you want to avoid gives you a heads up type of warning.  “When XXXX happens, I want to avoid that by taking a particular action” allows you to think it through and have a plan of action.

This week I anticipate will be stressful for me due to a variety of circumstances.  I am being thoughtful and protective of myself as to how I can deal with certain emotions that will most likely arise and possibly push my buttons.  It isn’t borrowing trouble but merely becoming prepared to face whatever emotions and circumstances that can present themselves.

I wasn’t a Girl Scout but I am prepared.  I know that I have the resources required to meet any challenge thrown my way.  Every day this week, I am going to name what I want and name what I want to avoid.  I will own my own actions and reactions.   Join me and let me know how this works for you too!

Believe In Yourself,
Cathy, CLC
Certified Life Coach, Weight Loss Surgery Coach
Certified Back On Track Facilitator