In the time that it takes to brush your teeth, you can take steps to a new way of living. Try actually timing yourself while brushing your teeth (which by the way, dentists recommend doing for two minutes) or doing any of these suggestions to find out how long two minutes actually is. It is amazing how different two minutes can feel depending upon the activity - when doing Pilates and holding the plank position, two minutes feels unending but when meditating or composing the next day’s menu, it can feel like no time at all has passed.
The idea behind these suggestions is to take baby steps toward changing your lifestyle. Two minutes is such a small increment of time to try something that can have a resounding effect upon your life. Breaking a large task or goal or change into something very small is infinitely more manageable and less daunting than continually looking at a very large goal. I personally avoided losing my extra 30 pounds because it was such an overwhelming task that I couldn’t get started. It wasn’t until I made 2 two minute changes - 1)in the amount of exercise I was getting then gradually increased that time and 2) planning my menu for the next day that I was able to start my ball rolling.
A two minute trial period for something new is easy. If the change you make works for you, try another or try the change for a longer period of time. If your schedule becomes ‘too busy’, don’t just cut the new changes out, consider doing them for a shorter time as a place holder or instead cut down on the amount of television watched or novels read by that same amount of time you need. If you do watch television, some changes can be done during commercial breaks. Meditation changes can be tough while the television is on but holding a plank or doing core exercise work can easily be accomplished.
We are continually changing and this is one way to initiate positive conscious change rather than simply always reacting to your environment. Take charge and make the changes you desire rather than take a victim mentality that life is out of my control. Yes, somethings happen that we do not desire and we cannot always control what life serves up, but we can control how we react to what happens to us. You can start regaining your control utilizing manageable bits of time - just two minutes.
Some of my suggestions are designed to heighten your awareness of your environment thru your senses. Some of the changes deal with spirituality and an increase in your connection to the present here and now moment. Some are practical organizational suggestions and some are health related improvements. Glance over the thru the blog to see which suggestion(s) resonate with you and start there. Or leave the starting place to chance by asking the question of the universe “Which would benefit me most to start first?” and just open a page and start with that one.
Consider keeping a journal so you can jot down a few word about the activity and how it made you feel or what you thought of it. Feel free to journal at length but if you keep it short, you may be more likely to keep the practice up. The idea here is to keep track of what you've activity you've tried for how long and what changes occur from repeating it without adding alot of time to your already overburdened schedule.
Remember that it takes 28 days to make a new habit. Some of these suggestions will be something that you’ll only need to try once while others will be helpful to repeat. Repetition is the key to building a new habit or way of life you’d like to keep. Someone once told me, “Perfect practice makes perfect permanence”. Have patience with yourself. Forgive yourself when you screw up and get back to your new habit as soon as possible. Persistence is the key in making changes to your life.
From living in today’s fast food society, we often want instant results. Occasionally, you’ll get those breakthroughs but mostly you’ll need time to work your changes. The list of things you want to accomplish may be daunting at first and you may feel the need to make lots of changes in your life really fast. Just remember that life is a process to be enjoyed. Take time to savor and celebrate the slow and steady progress of improvement. Most of all, have fun with these suggestions.
For more information click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment