May 2008 Vol 4

CHANGES

Action!  The time to move on your goals!  If you are in this stage of change you are ready to commit and to sacrifice some old “unprofitable behaviors” for some new “profitable” ones.

TOOLS

  During this stage support from others is very important and can increase the chance for success.  Countering is also important.  This means substituting something in place of what you want to stop.  For example, if you are quitting smoking countering with exercise might be a choice.  If you are wanting to lose weight then a diversion of taking a brief walk instead of overeating.  Relaxation can also be a profitable choice.  The more you are able to substitute unhealthy for healthy the more you will increase your well-being!

Rewards can be a fun effective method to include at this time as well.

Remember this is a process and it takes time.  Often there are slip-ups.  That is part of change.  A coach or support group might be very helpful at this point.

QUOTES

“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place” 

Zora Neale Hurston

INQUIRY

What part of your soul needs to crawl out of its hiding place?

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210-218-8044

San Antonio, Texas

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I believe Wellness has to do with all three, body, mind, and spirit.  What is a well spirit?  What is a well mind?  What is a well body?

Is wellness/well-being an ongoing journey?  I believe it is.  It is not done alone.  Connection is needed for wellness.

MARCH 2008

LIVING WITH PURPOSE

CHANGES

The focus this month is the stage of Preparation or “Getting Ready” stage.  My source of information is still the book “Changing For Good”, by Prochaske, Morcross, and Diclemente Collins 2002.

The success of most long-term projects is in large measure due to patient preparation; most successful self-change projects is in large measure due to patient preparation; most successful self-change projects similarly rely on a sometimes brief but always thoughtful period or preparation.  “This is where you focus on the best action you will take to make your change.”

We find out in this stage that just admitting “I have a problem” is not enough to change it This is a time to focus on your future and your “future self”.

TOOLS

Make a list of benefits of the change, and keep it where you can see it all day.  Maybe post it in several places (the bathroom mirror, the car, the refridgerator, on your desk).

Making this change be at the top of your priority list is essential.  Make the change because  you want and choose to.  Do not let others set your goals for you.

Now is the time to have faith in your ability to change.  Anxiety is highly likely at this stage.

Suggested steps by the authors:  take small steps;

                                                           set a date for the change;

                                                           go public with your commitment-you can let your supporters know how they can be most helpful to you;

                                                           Prepare for a major operation-you must put this first for now and other areas of your life may suffer for awhile

                                                            Make your own action plan-something specific you believe in;

Doing the work in each stage is important to success.  Some want to rush to the action stage, but this can lower your chances of success.

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

“If you want things to be different, perhaps the answer is to become different yourself”

Norman Vincent Peale

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”

Mahatma Gandhi

INQUIRY

An inquiry is a question or questions I will leave with you each month for you to contemplate.  I hope it will bring you closer to LIVING WITH PURPOSE.

How can you make change more fun?

FEEDBACK

I value your feedback.  Please feel free to express yourself!

Marla Box, M. Ed., LPC

Executive and Life Coach/Licensed Professional Counselor

www.marlabox.com