Changing From Within
Greetings!
There seem to be two engines available to us humans for change.
One is external. These are changes encouraged or even forced upon us by outside circumstances. The other is internal . These changes are the ones we willingly choose toward bettering ourselves.
Psychologists tell us that, although either can be an effective agent of change, the latter is far more likely to stick. Long after the habit has been repeated and ingrained into our lives, internal self-selected changes are far more likely to endure than those we are coerced into accepting.
It’s like we were waiting to shelve those external habits all along… as soon as no one was looking 🙂 .
This principle of lasting change is universal… it can be applied to almost every poor habit in our lives from dieting to cussing to being an aggressive driver. It’s in the personal and sincere decision to change the behavior that lies the advantage to success.
Your Doctor tells (or threatens), “You need to walk every day” and the change will probably come… but likely, it’ll be temporary… and what’s more… less satisfying.
We all have habits and behaviors that, in our heart of hearts we know are unhelpful or worse. How do we go about reaching for those real and enduring changes that, deep in ourselves, we yearn for; that we know are the better choice?
One recommended practice (because it does take practice) toward this end is to picture yourself performing this behavior, say walking daily, and embellish it your mind. Add bright colors, imagine walking along a beautiful path with your favorite companion, add sounds and smells if your imagination can conjure them. The mental picture, repeated, can be a strong reinforcement toward the desired action.
Science shows that our brains cannot really tell the difference between real and the well-imagined actions in the emotions they create. If you doubt that, close your eyes and imagine for a few moments giving a large check to your favorite charity …. You feel good, don’t you? That’s our brains reinforcing our deepest desires… even if it’s just pretend.
Our brains release “happy chemicals” to reinforce those actions. Internal motivation leads to more enduring behaviors too. Satisfying “I did it myself” behaviors that will more likely stick… and give the added benefits of teaching us all that change is still possible with the right tools.
A modest challenge here for our readers:
Take one good habit that has eluded you thus far. An easy one is fine. Try the imagination game daily for just one week, right before the activity. See how far you can come toward success.
I’ll present another trick next blog.
Good luck!
Yours in health,
NeuraVite