WHAT GETS YOUR ATTENTION?

"We move toward what we hold in our awareness."  This is a simple idea with profound consequences for making change in our lives.  WE BECOME WHAT WE PAY ATTENTION TO.

What we think about, we bring about!

Awhile back there was a study involving hundreds of people who
were trying to make simple but important changes in their lives (losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising, having more balance, etc)  The group was split in half and were given 2 different methods to implement change:

Group 1:  Set very specific goals such as to run 3 times per week. They were to write these goals down and review them once each week for 12 weeks.

Group 2:  Given cards to write down a few words or phrases that would remind them of the change they wanted to make
(eat healthy, speak up for yourself,etc)  They were to carry the cards with them wherever they went for 12 weeks.  They were to look at them 10 - 20 times per day and asked to be aware of the choices they were making.  They were also told not to beat themselves up, not to engage in negative self-talk but simply to be aware of these things as they went thru their day.

12 weeks later both groups had made progress but Group 2 achieved as much as 3xs more.  Through the simple act of paying attention, change occurred.    

Why was the simple act of carrying a card around superior to goal setting? For example, the person who sets the goal to run 3 x a week  . . .  What happens if during the first week he injures himself and can't run the next week?                                                        

 What if he discovers he hates running :0)  ??  The most likely outcome is that he feels a sense of failure and aborts attempts to change.  He will likely miss many other opportunities to become more active as well.

Contrast this person with the one who simply carries around a card with the words  "be more active an physically fit".  Looking at that card 10 -20 times a day, she may make numerous decisions that will affect her health.  She may read the card and decide to take the stairs instead of the elevator or take a walk at lunch instead of sitting at her desk.  When she reads the card she might call a friend and arrange to meet for a squash or tennis game.           

You might be tempted to write on many cards about many changes you wish to make.  This is not recommended.   If we are working on too many things at once, we often become paralyzed and unable to act.  When we try to act on too many things at once, we wind up acting o nothing.  Choose a specific focus such as "Leave no Regrets"  risk more!  So taking more risks in meeting more people might become your focus.  Your card might read:  "leave no regrets and meet new people"

Make a commitment to carry that card around for the next few months.  Commit to looking at it 10 - 20 times each day.  Become aware of the choice that you are making moment to moment.  Continue to carry the card until you can honestly say you've made progress toward your intention. 

Remember: "What we hold in our awareness, we move toward naturally."