Setting yourself up for success

[Oat_Bran]

Thought I might start a thread for people to share strategies on how they force themselves to do things they don't like doing! For example, going to the gym, getting out of bed, procrastination, etc.

Tell us what you struggle to do, and how you cheat yourself into doing it! I'll start...

Struggle #1: Getting out of bed in the morning - I put the alarm clock in the lounge room so I have no choice but to get out of bed!

Struggle #2: Meditating daily - I put my phone into flight mode the night before and I'm not allowed to turn it off in the morning until AFTER I have meditated.

[Croix]

Dear Oat Bran~

I like the idea of this thread, thank you.

I'll contribute a silly little thing. Umpteen times I'd rather not face a person, or even talk to them on the phone. I have a great temptation to text them or email them instead. Seems great, no face to face. I can take time and say exactly what I want.

Then I remind myself what endless waiting is like. Wondering if they have received it, read it, wondering why they have not replied, wondering what will be the result if they do. My mind excels at all these unpleasant activities.

So I meet them or ring.

Croix

[Oat_Bran]

Thanks for your post Croix! I also experience a similar anxiety to a small extent and definitely agree that phone/face-to-face meeting is much better. You seem to be very aware of your own tendencies and thoughts!

Great habit you have formed there, I'm going to try enact that more in my life too now. A small amount of pain now (calling/meeting rather than messaging) saves more pain later when they don't reply!

[Jacaranda72]

I listen to a meditation track before I get up. I pull on pants, hoodie and slip on shoes and get out the front door. No fuss about what I look like. I stick my hands in my pockets and walk down my street breathing in fresh air and ‘stretching’ my eyes out along the length of the road. I try to soothe the knot of anxiety in my belly. I observe the changes in gardens and weather. Then I walk back up the other side of the street. It wouldn’t take more than 5 minutes but it’s comforting to get out of the 4 walls and away from husband and kids getting ready for work and school. 5 minutes alone time in the fresh air.