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Changing
our day-to-day behaviors may be easier than previously imagined. By
meditating on and repeating motivational and inspirational quotes, we are better
prepared to change our thought patterns, behaviors and in turn, change our
lives.
Here's
how it's done.
If
we believe something to be easy, we find little, if any struggle in
accomplishing it. However, if we imagine something to be difficult to accomplish,
then our struggle becomes more apparent.
In
fact, if we imagine that it is difficult to change a specific behavior,
then we will always find experiences that will justify that belief.
Take
this for example. We wake up one morning and decide that:
"This
is the day I start losing weight. When things get difficult, I will not
reach for junk food, but instead I will focus on something else to keep my
mind occupied. It'll be tough at first, but I'm going to give it a
try."
If
you continue with this thought pattern and belief, don't be surprised to
find yourself struggling more often than not. Why?
If
we look at this example closely we find a couple of thought patterns and
beliefs already in place. We have determined to do something good for
ourselves, but we do ourselves a disservice by choosing certain negative
thought patterns, beliefs and words that go along with it.
We
have said,
"When
things get difficult...."
(This
is already assuming that there will be difficult moments! Strike one!)
"It'll
be tough at first..."
(This
is already assuming it will be difficult at first! Strike two!)
"...but
I'm going to give it a try."
(Remember
the movie "The Karate Kid"..."Theirs is no "try",
there is only "do". Strike three!)
Now
there are hundreds of products out there that will assist people in losing
weight. Some, if not all of them, may work for various people at various
stages of their goal. But for many people who have convinced themselves
that losing weight is difficult, some products may fall short when our thought
patterns are stronger than our desire to change.
Here
is something that I've done to change a behavior I no longer desired.
I
recently lost 20lbs in about 12 weeks. I didn't like the way I looked, felt
or even thought for that matter. I needed to change and take some action
towards it.
First,
I realized that I had to change my way of thinking about losing weight. My
old thought patterns were no longer working for me. My thoughts were like
little tiny pictures that I projected in my mind of how heavy I was. I no
longer wanted these pictures or thought patterns a part of my life. I had
to choose a thought pattern and belief that would be easier to think about.
I
chose this thought,
"Losing
weight is easier than I thought."
Perhaps
not the most ideal for everyone but it worked for me.
Secondly,
I chose a word I wanted to focus on for that day, week or month to help me
in accomplishing my goal (Start with just a day, or just an hour for that
matter. Keep it simple.) The word I chose needed to be in relation to the
change I want to make. For example, I chose the word "FOCUS", as
I felt that that's what I needed to think about most of time; focusing more
on losing weight than gaining it. Choose any word as long as it relates to
your situation. (Attitude, Energy, Action, Believe...)
Following
that, I scoured the Internet for motivational and inspirational quotes that
resonated within me that related to that specific word I chose. Quotes that
I could remember, especially ones that really spoke to what I wanted to
accomplish.
But
here's the most important part.
I
needed quotes that were powerful enough to change my thought patterns the
moment I read them. Quotes that REALLY spoke to me when I my eyes fell upon
them. Quotes that forced me to pause and think for a moment. Quotes that
had that extra "edge" where my mind said, "Yes. This is
one." These are all signs of a quote that held power for me.
I
"focused" in on the following quotes.
"All
that we are is the result of what we have thought." Buddha
"The
only way to discover the limits of the possible, is to go beyond them into
them impossible." Arthur C. Clarke
"It's
not what you achieve in the end that matters, it's who you become in the
process." Author Unknown
In
fact, I found dozens of quotes that I resorted to from time to time, but
these three I always came back to. They spoke of who I was, what I wanted
to accomplish and who I wanted to become as I worked towards my goal.
I
wrote them down. I carried these quotes with me constantly. I read them and
meditated on them whenever I had the opportunity to. At work, home or at
the gym (yup, I finally got myself to exercise, primarily by focusing on
Arthur C. Clarke's quote!), I focused on these three powerful quotes to
help me FOCUS on what I wanted.
Because
I changed my thought patterns, over time, I can honestly say I am 20 lbs
lighter and a whole lot happier. Yes, more was involved than just thinking
but it all began with my thoughts. The thoughts then permeated into my
actions. (Now I need to FOCUS on maintaining that weight, so for me a whole
new thought pattern begins.)
Here
are the three steps again:
1. Decided to change your way of thinking
about a behavior, making it easier for you to think about it. Phrase it in
a simple way.
2. Choose a word to focus on to change that
behavior for a period of time.
3. Find a minimum of three motivational or
inspirational quotes related to that specific word that are powerful enough
to change your current thought patterns the moment you read them. Meditate
on them and repeat them, silently or out loud, every chance you get.
Be
patient. Stick with it. Give it some time.
Why
do you think companies offer a 30-day money back guarantee? They know that
if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit and you no longer need to
return it! (Learned something, huh?) Give it time.
The
first step to what you want to accomplish is changing your mind and the
thought patterns and beliefs associated with your behavior. Thoughts are
the precursor to action, meaning that thoughts occur before any action
takes place. That's what needs to be changed first. Your thoughts. It
worked for me and I hope this inspires and motivates you to achieve your
goal.
Think
positive.
Ray
Schiel
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