Stop self sabotage by harnessing the power of your PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE self.
Are you trying to create change in your life? Have you set an intention that you are working towards? Do you have a vision you feel passionate about realising? Consider the concepts of “past”, “present” and “future” self to help you in this process…
Let’s take, for example, a goal concerning your ‘health and wellbeing‘. First, you need to get really clear on what it means to you to be healthy. How do you see health and wellbeing manifesting in your life? Rather than setting a broad goal of “being healthy”, pinpoint more closely what you value and aspire to. A more effective goal could be something like “feeling vital, vibrant and being a positive role model for my kids”.
Using the concepts of past, present and future self to help you achieve greater vitality, you could reflect on the following questions:
PAST self – was there a time in your life that you have felt like this? When was it and what were the kind of things that you were doing to sustain it? How does that differ to now? Know that you can’t change your past self, you can only change how you feel about it.
CURRENT self – what are you doing now (or not doing!) to support your vision? You can change your current self! This is where your control lies!
FUTURE self – when faced with a decision that impacts on your goal, hold in your mind’s eye how each choice could affect the person you are becoming – does the outcome support who you aspire to be? Relate this back to past decisions and the results of those actions. Can you delay gratification in this moment to nurture your future self, even if your current self is crying out?
Try to strike a balance between caring for your current self and your future self. Know that your future self is the culmination of every decision your current self makes!
Hold the image of what you want to achieve in life at the front of your mind. Give these desires top priority and approach decision making with fresh eyes. Know that the choice is yours and that by making better choices MOST of the time, you will get much closer to becoming the person you want to be, leading the life you aspire to live.
Remember also to be kind to your self (past, present and future!). It can take time to carve the path you want to be on, so be persistent, mindful and celebrate your wins along the way.
Acknowledge too if you might need a little help realising your vision. If this has been something you’ve wanted for a long time and what you’re doing isn’t working, then enlist some support. Equally, if this is new and you don’t know how to tackle it – get in touch!Either way, I’m here to help you get the ball rolling.
Love to all, Suz xxx
Suzy is available for counselling, coaching and private yoga sessions at her consulting room in Cammeray, Sydney, home visits, coaching via phone or skype, and ‘walk & talk’ sessions by appointment.
Contact Suzy at: suzy@suzyreading.co.uk
Follow Suzy at: www.facebook.com/SuzyReadingPsychologyAndYoga
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