The actions we TAKE, the way we THINK and the people we ASSOCIATE* with are ALL behavioral patterns that we have developed OVERTIME. The decisions you lean towards can either be POSITIVE or NEGATIVE; nevertheless, they are tendencies all the same. One can observe that human beings are creatures of HABIT and seek the path of least resistance (which is an instinct deeply related to survival). Due to this INSTINCT we (humans) attempt to resist change and will continue to participate in the same patterns (regardless if they are DETRIMENTAL to our well-being). Going against the momentum of our negative patterns and CORRECTING them is challenging and requires a significant amount of dedication; however, it ESSENTIAL if you want to lead a successful life.
FAILURE BEGETS FAILURE
Tell me if this is a familiar story:
1. You promise yourself that you are going to get into shape this summer and you begin to hit the gym.
2. Two weeks into your new weight lifting program you start to miss a few days a week.
3. In the fourth week you stop going completely
The real issue is not that you stopped… it is WHY YOU STOPPED! People stop themselves (ALL THE TIME) from doing things that are POSITIVE simply because it is NEW and new PATTERNS that cause discomfort. The PULL one can feel to return to their familiar patterns are so STRONG that it can actually make a person see past LOGIC and continue to participate in unhealthy actions or POISONOUS ways of thinking. There is no easy way to get around negative patterns… except to PERSIST!.
** SUCCESS BEGETS SUCCESS **
While it is a bit disheartening to know that people tend to fall back into old patterns and learned behaviors; this can also work you your advantage. The person who thinks negatively will continue to think negatively until a conscious effort is made to think positively; therefore, a positive person will continue to think positively as well. If YOU are willing to ENDURE the discomfort associated with changing learned behaviors for an extended period of time then ANY negative habit can be CONVERTED to a POSITIVE. Once a positive habit is ESTABLISHED you will find the MOMENTUM is WORKING IN YOUR FAVOR.
Let try the previous example with someone who persists in establishing a positive habit
1. You promise yourself that you are going to get into shape this summer and you begin to hit the gym.
2. Two weeks you stay dedicated because you see slight progress (even though your body is sore)
3. In week 4 you are half way to you goal weight.
4. In week 8 you have achieved your goal, but you are not are toned as you thought you would be…so you set a more ambitious goal
5. Rinse and repeat.
Just because you may be stuck in a rut now DOES NOTpredetermine your LIFE. It is LIBERATINGto know that we can mold our habits in a way that is conducive to WHAT WE WANTout of life… and you can START RIGHT NOW. WRITE DOWN some bad habits you have and PROMISE to take action to convert them into the positive TODAY!
THINK WELL. ACHIEVE MORE. LIVE BETTER.
