How did you find yesterday’s task?
Were there ‘descriptives’ that were difficult to admit? Was it a breeze for you to just keep jotting down ideas and words? The experience is going to be different per individual and that is fine. What is important is that you finished the task and that you remain committed. After all, we have 29 days to go.
Like I said, this is not going to be an easy ride. All change or growth go through difficult times. These are times when we need to take a long, hard look at ourselves to see where we can still improve, the adjustment to something new and letting go of something (or someone) you have grown accustomed to. But it will all be worth it. In the end you will see how fun and fulfilling this month has been for you.
“First steps are always the hardest but until they are taken the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement.”
Aberjhani, Illuminated Corners: Collected Essays and Articles Volume I
Day 2 Challenge: Reflect, Review and Rethink Your List
Take out your list from yesterday. Add the column headers such as in the below example.
Positive or Negative
There is no absolute positive or negative value. Note one as positive if this is something desirable for you. And negative if otherwise. Fat for example, can be positive for someone who has struggled with weight gain all his/her life. Another example could be responsible. I might say it is positive, but someone who is overburdened by his/her responsibility might consider it negative.
Permanent or Temporary
As in events in our lives, is it something passing or fleeting or just locked at a point in your life? If it is, it is temporary. If this is something you have for all your life and is a continuous state or theme, it can be permanent. Talents and strengths are generally permanent while moods and emotions are generally temporary.
Basis
What is the objective basis of your description. Is it based on what is actual? How about a measure? or, is it based on reliable, valid feedback? Does it have solid ground? Or is it as opposed to an ideal notion such as in my example above; much worse, is it based on the ideal as media portrays it to be.
PAUSE now and reflect, review and rethink your list.
Now…. let’s classify, shall we?
- Highlight or underline those that’s negative. Especially, look for those that’s negative and temporary, these are easier wins. Negative and permanent might take some more time, but something can still be done about them.
- Create action plans for these.
- Find negative items without sound basis. They may be your own assumptions which may not be true, hence could be taken out of your negative list. In my coaching and counseling practice, I see that often when people think about something negative about themselves, these are their own saboteur. Not grounded on any valid basis and often, in fact, other people see these traits differently. We have to free ourselves from these beliefs. We will talk more about this in the next few days.
- Celebrate the positive ones, both permanent and temporary. Keep these in mind and strengthen them.
Action Plan
Picking up from number 2 above. Create action plans for those that you can do something about.
What are your realizations from today’s exercise? It would be nice to share with your team or trusted friends and hear them out, too.
Thank you! It’m glad to see you again.
For Strengths Coaching and HR Consulting, please send an email to emiletherese@yahoo.com. As a Gallup-CertifiedStrengths Coach, I am happy to join your personal, family and team development journey.
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