Wednesday, July 21, 2021
As you age, incorporating better, behavioral changes into life gets harder. Creatures of habit are we! But our deepest needs for change are often buried in our old, often destructive habits. If you feel stuck, I have a trick that might help. That trick is in using words, and seeing them each day.
Words are a powerful tool, and we can use them in our daily reminders. Think of a word that is closely associated with some area of your life that you’d like to improve or to change – categories can include relationships, finances, health and fitness, or mental wellness. I am always in need of working on relationships and in need of making new ones! I have incorporated the word “outreach” into my daily reminders. That tells me to text or call someone – to reach out, or to plan an event that brings people together. It also reminds me to say “yes” when I’m invited somewhere. In regards to health, you might write down something related to how you eat. For me, I like the word “nutrition.” For mental health, I like to see “meditate” or sometimes “peace.” You may want to rotate through different words, but think of them, and write them down. Set the words before your eyes whenever and however you can – sticky notes on the bathroom mirror, or electronic reminders work miracles.
If you see the words daily, eventually, you’ll find yourself correcting bad behaviors or starting new, more positive ones. Don’t write too many – just three at most. Begin with three areas of your life, and three words that are associated with those areas. Trust in the power of words, they will eventually lead you to better behaviors, but in small ways. Those small corrective measures will make a huge difference in your life. See the words first, and your brain will find ways to incorporate those behavioral changes – one small correction at a time!
Good one!