Reprogramming the RAS week 9
Last week we explored the ‘fire drill for the mind’ to help keep anxiety under control. This week we will look at motivation. How often do we plan to make changes, we know these changes would be good for us, but something gets in the road of taking the steps we identified as being most helpful. We have a lot going on, it matters we do not further drain our energy being hard on ourselves about what we ‘should do’ this does not motivate us. Instead, we have to decide if this is a priority for us and how we can make it something we want to do.
It’s not enough to know we want to change our routines or habits to re-programme our filter. We need to find the motivation to take the action necessary to make the changes to develop new routines. Steps which can support this include:
Get into the mood for things to change. You really need to decide things as they are needed to change to get the motivation and energy and passion to do something about it.
Realise you do make decisions all the time, are those decisions ones which will give you the life you would like, or are you living your life on autopilot and keep finding where you end up isn’t where you wanted to get to?
Point for reflection
What routines are stopping me from making changes which would be helpful for me?
Accept that change even ones we want, involves loss. Usually, loss is something we try to avoid, so plan how are you going to deal with the feelings or thoughts you may have about change? Who or what do you need to support you? Really ask yourself if you are willing to do what needs to be done to make the change. If not accept this is the way it will be and stop saying how awful it is. If you can do something about it, do something, if you can’t, what else can you lock into which will help you feel better and do you need help to do this?
Not every challenge does have a solution, but new routines can lead to new habits which can help. However, you need to programme your RAS to look for them. If all we focus on is the negative, that is all we will see. We have a finite amount of energy, think how best to use that. Using energy to worry about things we cannot change, and anyone who has been worried will know, it’s exhausting! Or, investing energy in things which may help us find solutions, or adapt to the situation? When we begin to programme our RAS into looking for solutions or ways to adapt, it can make a big difference in how we feel.
Points for reflection
Who could support me make the change into new routines?
What can I do to support myself make the change into new routines?
If this has value for you, find a piece of paper and a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted for 20 minutes and write down 20 things you would like to change. Don’t worry too much about what you write, get in touch with yourself and see what your mind suggests.
Be realistic once you decide what you want to change, wee steps are easier to achieve and better for increasing our self-confidence also ask yourself are these things which are in your control? If you need help to do this ask, remember, these wee posts are for selfcare and reflection, they are not a replacement for professional advice. Sometimes we need to talk about the changes we want to make and get help to plan how to make those changes.
Be realistic about what you think is normal. When something sad happens, or we are living with uncertainty feeling sad or anxious is normal in these circumstances.
The Goal setting snakes and ladders tool is helpful in setting the goals to achieve the change that you are seeking.
Point for reflection
What is one small change you would like to make now? Something that is within your control and would be easy to do e.g. make sure you are drinking enough water, especially in this hot weather.
Next week we shall explore goal setting in more detail, till then, please be kind to yourself, you are amazing never forget that