How often do you stand in front of a mirror and verbally accuse the eyes looking back of being a creature of habit? All seems well until face to face with the realms of reality based on each habit failing to represent an act of body kindness.
Oh well, can’t wait until January 1st so we can try this again.
Creating a good or bad habit doesn’t just suddenly appear—it’s based on repetitive motion. If everyday for thirty days at 7am I rub my right eye with my left finger while tapping my toe to a bad Country song…the end result is a newly shaped habit, which usually goes unrecognized because everybody surrounding your life and style has created their own mountain of guilty pleasures.
Muscling in on a good habit involves a little elbow grease blessed with large amounts of awareness. The starting point shouldn’t be, “Hey! I’m gonna knock 30 pounds off my waist by taking these Green Tea pills! Wait! According to this late night infomercial I can look six sizes smaller if I buy this rowing machine with a built in water supply and navigation device.”
Being enthusiastic about change is an incredible positive—a new exercise plan or work ethic is physically fun to dive into because it’s got an incredibly cool totally unforgettable new car feel and smell.
Then it happens, you get a solid ten on a single belly flop and the journeys given a new face.
I always laugh when people say, “Wow a second degree black belt…it must have been difficult to learn all those high flying kicks, punches and crazy spins.”
Truth is…getting used to looking stupid in front of other students is the attention grabber, followed by giant invisible battles of every reason why I don’t need to go to class today and why am I forking out this money if all we do is stand here and kick, kick, kick? If I want boredom I’ll turn on the television set.
Getting over the heave ho mountain starts with a serious realization: Start your vision quest off by going extremely small. Success can be attained by putting faith in small increments. If you want to see it in physical form, spend ten minutes with a couple whose been married fifty plus years—learning how to put up with each others different personalities one step at a time created a firm foundation.
The problem with goal setting is that horrid disease called enthusiasm…a good dose of the natural stuff lasts about two to three weeks—sadly that’s when we reach for the power drinks, bars and pills that guarantee enormous amounts of energy. I spent many mornings at the gym being trained by a professional who wouldn’t begin the day without a pot of coffee in his gut then shout, “It’s time to boogie til we puke.” I usually did about thirty seconds into squats. Ok…next goal! I’ll take up ant and worm watching!
Remember when I mentioned awareness…that nearly too big of a word comes in right about now. Once your goal has begun, it’s imperative you stay fully aware of all things connected to the journey. Look for seeds of habits sprouting little wings then document it. Keep the colors of your eyes glued on changes and or lack of then document it. By journalizing your efforts to move up and forward it serves as a map which can be used as a study tool in the years ahead not just for you but those nearby.
It recently happened to me…Mr. Pearlman’s desire of being named a second degree required a need to study other student’s notes. I’m not a believer in starting a book in the middle…I volunteered the pages connected to my first day in Karate—the purpose was based on mindsets and struggles during times of change. To better understand who you’re going to be, it’s best to see who it is you once were.
Starting with small goals narrows your focus which increases your power. Enthusiasm is everything! By starting off small you’re capable of controlling it. The goal isn’t to scream victory but rather to ensure success—a black belt isn’t the final step in a martial arts class…it’s only the beginning.
Through gradual change you’re gifting your mind, body and soul every reason to believe in the reasons behind being the boss. Jordan Sparks says it best in her new song, “One step at a time.” Learn to say it, live it and breathe it. When someone greets you, “How’s it going?” Tell them the truth and feel proud about it, “One step at a time.”
Blah, blah, blah words, words, words….how can we put such stupid conversation to work in an already busy livelihood? Nobody has the time to properly take care for themselves! We have places to go, sights to see, new teachers to meet and then its time for dinner where we’ll spend the entire moment of bliss discussing our worst fears of why we think today is our final day at the places we work, that evolves into the government controlled health care issue then foreign leaders with giant bombs then the 11:00 news where its fed back into us one drip at a time.
Exercise! Not 30 minutes…give me five to ten.
Walking! Not a blister on our little toe three to eight miles…lets go around the block each night
Productivity: Stop multitasking and regain your biggest and best strength…its called focus.
E-mailing: Get off that computer and cell phone. Bicker, bicker, bonk, bonk, you’re setting yourself up for failure when every moment available is spent wet blanketing a friend or family member.
Healthy eating: One carrot at a time. A sudden change creates a craving. That’s when you begin to lose enthusiasm.
Decluttering: Julia Cameron calls it cleaning out the closet. Don’t sell it at a garage sale or flea market…dump it. Rid your life of every path that’s seemingly tied to a bad memory. You aren’t going to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and the state isn’t going to dedicate a section to you and your efforts at the museum…get the junk out of your trunk and create a newer, healthier room with a view.
We all have habits. My worst is my mouth…I never know when to shut up. Growing up in Montana its how we kept warm, talk, talk, talk. Just call me the word dump.
Steal my art…
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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