Sep 13 2009
I’m the kind of person who….
Mental imaging
I love The Secret. It’s great! Mental imaging has been a part of my life since I first read Dr. Bernie Segal’s book, Love, Medicine and Miracles when I was doing chemo. I’m also a great fan of affirmations. John Berardi says to use the phrase, “I’m the kind of person who…” to create the image of yourself performing the behavior patterns that you would like to have become habits. After all, the hardest part of forming new habits is the initial change, right? Right.
Okay, if you see yourself doing “it,” then you will do “it.” Right? Well….sometimes. I’ve known for a while (well, actually, forever) that I should be doing some type of weight-bearing exercize at least three times every week. I’ve known since starting my studies at Rimon that certain study habits will help me to be more efficient and make my learning experience a lot easier. I’ve envisioned myself ensconced in them and also exercizing every day, but did I do it? Well, you probably know the routine…make the resolution, create a schedule, stick to the schedule, after all, it’s all about discipline, right? Hmmm…maybe not. The next step is usually to go back to my old habits.
When I heard John saying, “Fill in the blank. Say, ‘I’m the kind of person who [complete the sentence with the things I SHOULD be doing, or want to do],’” it came to me. I’m the kind of person who tends to procrastinate. I’m the kind of person who knows what to do but tends to put it off until the pressure is really on. I’m the kind of person who lets watching TV interfere with doing the things I really want to do. I’m the kind of person who has a loose grasp of time-task factors. I’m the kind of person who lets these behavior patterns interfere with my goals and achievements.
Catharsis!
Now don’t misunderstand, I wasn’t browbeating or berating myself. I felt no guilt or remorse while realizing these things. It was more like a revelation and rather cathartic at that. “Okay,” I said to myself. “If this is the kind of person I am, then this is what I need to deal with if I want to change.” Wow, you know, that feels really good!
So for me, last Thursday was the first day of a new way. Like I said, I’m very good at setting goals, both long and short term. I’m also a very organized person and I’m extremely good at getting information. These characteristics are great when dealing with the other issues, so that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m making some very radical changes in my behavior patterns and I’m sure the results will be fantastic! Holding the image in mind of the kind of person I am is very helpful. Seeing myself become the kind of person I want to be, not only in my mind’s eye but in everyday life is absolutely the best.
What kind of person are you? Can you answer the question honestly without feeling badly? Without guilt or remorse? If you can, and if you have some patterns you would like to change, then the exercize might be helpful to you. As the woman whose son asked her why she was pouring chicken soup on her husband’s grave replied, “It wouldn’t hoit!” 