I have missed a couple Weekly Challenges for you guys over the past month, but today I have one in store that I hope many of you will enjoy.
Lately I have been thinking about the things that define me in my life: people, relationships, jobs, hobbies and thinking processes, etc. I have been considering much about how the way we interact with people reflects how we interact with ourselves and how we perceive our environments and experiences.
My challenge for you to undertake this week is to come up with 5 things you dislike about your traits or behaviours (negative behaviours) and craft a 3-6 month plan of how to conquer at least one of them.
For example, you may not like that you don't spend enough time with your family, or you are not adventurous (don't like starting new hobbies or doing new activities). Of course I am not suggesting to rip yourself apart and change everything about you, because you are who you are. But if there are traits that *you* don't like in yourself or can see them negatively affecting others and wish to change them, then these are the ones to consider.
In your journal you can write down one of your 5 undesirable traits or behaviours, and underneath it write the goal trait or behaviour (they do not have to be extreme opposites; you might just want to modify an existing trait to be less extreme, for example):
Undersirable trait: Too conservative/uptight
Desirable trait: Adventurous and laid-back (This is an extreme change; a more moderate one would be 'flexible' or 'willing to try new things')
3 or 6 months: 3 months
What are actions that promote this trait:
____________________________________________________________________________________
How can I incorporate one or some of these actions into my week:
____________________________________________________________________________________
What are the some obstacles I might face when trying to change my behaviour:
____________________________________________________________________________________
How can I approach these and handle them with grace?
____________________________________________________________________________________
How will I know when I have reached my goal?
____________________________________________________________________________________
Who can I talk to to help me along this journey? Are they supportive? If not, can I find someone who is?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
By writing these out, you are forcing yourself to commit to your new behaviour. This is the first step in actualizing a plan for change. By anticipating challenges (obstacles) and writing them down and how you will approach them you will not be blindsided and overwhelmed when they do arise. This allows you to recover from set-backs quicker and helps keep you on track. By reaching out to others you are creating a supportive network that will be essential for you to press onward during rough times and to celebrate with you when you have hit a milestone!
Be careful to set a realistic and attainable goal, however, as something too lofty will only create disappointment.
If you are currently housebound and seeking counseling, planning a 3 month goal of traveling to the other end of the continent by yourself may not be realistic. Discover your personal boundaries, and seek to slowly expand the circle until your goal has come into view. Once you have reached it, re-assess your position, and seek to expand your comfort circle once more.
The idea on the path to wellness is to create a dynamic, flexible and content personality while not compromising on your beliefs and values.
Enjoy this challenge my friends!
Conquer on!
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