THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG CONVICTION AND A 'PITT CREW' BEHIND YOUR HABIT CHANGE
Have you ever noticed how tough it can be to make a shift or change in your life for the better, when the people around you don't see it, acknowledge it or respect it?
How others will respond to you:
Making permanent habit changes in your life, especially when they fly in the face of what others are doing/feeling can create hostility amongst friends and family and can also have you undone in your pursuits, despite your best efforts. When you make a shift in your life, whatever it may be, the importance of sharing that shift with friends and family cannot be underestimated. But be mindful, when you share that journey or goal, others will inevitably do one of 2 things:
1) They will lift you up, be your cheerleader and support you the whole way (perhaps even be inspired themselves to make a change)
or
B) shut you down, diminish your goals and break contact and tell everyone how you are no fun anymore.
Here is an example of a scenario where having a strong conviction around your shift is KEY:
The situation:
You have taken on 'dry July' and you walk into the pub nervous as hell at the prospect of telling your regular drinking buddies that tonight you are only on the water.
Scenario 1
The bar is busy, your friends are at the bar, you are already on the back foot. The sweats begin, you move slowly forward, hesitant, head down, hoping to sneak in unnoticed. But NO! all your mates cheer your name and in fact already have a drink ready and waiting on the bar. You decide to wait until an opportune moment to state your case. As the glass is thrust into your somewhat clammy hand, you raise your head sorrowful and quietly stammer that you are trying to not drink as its dry July and you want to try and cut down on the grog.
You have barely finished your sentence before you are laughed at and told to drink up. The net result. You, dancing on the tables, inebriated within an hour of showing up.
BUT - here's how it could have gone - had you got your communication right:
Scenario 2
The bar is busy, your friends are at the bar, but you know that how you show up in there matters and so you take a deep breath, chin up, stride in straight up to the bar. When you have conviction in your actions, you hold yourself very differently. You say hi to all of your friends and get their attention. You communicate that you are taking on your health for the next 4 weeks of July and that you are absolutely committed to not drinking a single sip of alcohol. It's an absolutely non-negotiable. It's a decision that you are not only steadfast on but are in fact excited about anyhow it can impact your health and family. Most of your friends listen and understand (some don't and thats totally ok). You order a glass of water and gratefully offer the one they bought for you away to another mate. When your mates question you, you tell them again what you are committed to. You drink your water, you have a fun night and you head to bed early enough to get a good nights sleep.
So HOW you communicate your change is absolutely KEY and its also HOW you 'create' your support team
You see, some people would rather see you the way you were and thats ok, but they won't be the people to move you forward and have you succeed in making that permanent shift.
To make a permanent habit change in your life, you need conviction and a strong 'no' when it's required. When you get it right, you create support champions, the folks who fly your flag so high that you never doubt that change again. The people that will always be a reminder as to why you did it and what it means to you. Find and create your 'pit crew', love on them and let them help you stay on that race track.
#supportcrew #energyhealthinc #RecoveryMindset #restyourself