Calories vs. dollars: Burn more calories than you consume - lose weight. Save more money than you spend - have money. Simple! Sometimes we complicate things in order to feel as if they are not accomplishable (is that a word? If not, it seems to work).- Reactionary living vs. conscious, goal-oriented living: Whether you eat a tub of ice cream after a fight with your husband, an upsetting work episode or after a small diet 'slip-up,' the result is the same - you are reacting without conscious thought, and usually it is to your detriment. We all do it. Conversely, getting up at 6am consistenly to work out, making a decision ahead of time not to jump to anger when triggered, and saving part of your paycheck every month are ALL conscious decisions. All will benefit you, both in short-term confidence and motivation and in long-term, positive results.
- Dreaming vs. settling: Do you dream big dreams, or is your most common sentiment 'I can't change anything?' Whether you feel you are stuck in your job or your relationship, the concept - and the feelings - are the same. In the same way, if you are of the attitude that you can always learn and grow from every situation, and that you control your destiny by your choices, your life - from finances to relationships - will just keep getting better from here on in. How can I tell? Because I know that it doesn't matter what happens to you; what matters is how you handle it. Of course we have all heard this, but it really does ring true.
- Long-term vision or instant gratification: Did you want to skip reading this one because it made you cringe? Often, the reason we feel the need for instant gratification is deeper than just selfishness or impatience. Below this are some deep, swirling emotions and beliefs. For instance, our survival instinct whispers to us that we must gather NOW. We must get it while we can, because we cannot be sure what the future holds. Perhaps we do not trust ourselves, or the people around us, so we really can't be sure that we will reach for those dreams we harbor; we'd better enjoy life now, and besides, there isn't enough to go around, so we must be sure and experience and have what we can. We deserve it, after all - this is a big one. When we deny ourselves, somehow our subconscious feels slighted and stamps its' little feet: "I want it NOW! Why can't I have it NOW??" So we give in to our fragile ego and buy and consume things now to make ourselves feel worthy.
Instead, when we gain the confidence and long-term vision to consciously create our lives, we can quiet our ego and those 'what-if' worries. The future picture becomes bigger and more important than the present wants. It is an amazing process to begin looking to the future, and to do so we must ensure that we focus on the benefits such behavior will engender. If we don't, our current selves will revolt, and we will give in. Each time you have a little money, for instance, your brain may scream 'spend it!!!' even as you consciously know that saving it is a wiser choice. Focus on the bigger picture; do whatever it takes to create a shining future for yourself in your mind. Picture the growing wealth, the happiness and confidence you will feel, and BE that future self in your mind if you need to.
The list could go on, but this is enough to illustrate the old saying that 'wherever you go, there you are.' Examining your behavior and beliefs in one area can and will affect every other area in your life. Make changes in the way you handle your relations with others, and like a domino effect, all the facets of your life will be equally affected. Try it, and reap the rewards. Anyone can choose to take more control of their lives and start creating positive results. YOU can do it!
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