Miracle Soup Day 11

There's another transformation exercise to explore today. This one is about transforming habits.

You're probably beginning to see a pattern here: transformation involves replacing an old concept with a new one. We've done it so far with thoughts and fears.

Think of how a child learns the concepts of opposites. It has to be illustrated in the extreme. (I always think of old Sesame Street sketches where the concepts of opposites were always so funny.)

We illustrate the concept of opposites by going to the far extremes, and that's exactly what we are going to do today, with habits.

MIRACLE RECIPE #11

Take a moment and write down any habits that you'd like to be rid of. This can be anything from biting your nails to overspending to being bothered by a co-worker to chronic procrastination.

Next, write down any negative thoughts that have been nagging at you lately.

When you're done, take a look at the two lists. More likely than not, there are items in each list that obviously line up with something on the other list. You see, I believe that any habit has a certain belief or thought associated with it.

Here's an example from when I did this exercise with someone. Her negative habits were the ones I mentioned above: biting her nails, overspending, being resentful at a co-worker, and chronic procrastination.

Before telling her about the connection between negative thoughts and habits, I asked her to name some negative thoughts that frequently creep up on her. Here is what she said: I feel stuck, things will never change, nothing I do is enough, and everyone else seems to be going somewhere but me.

Just take a look at the connections between the two lists:
1. I feel stuck: biting my nails
2. things will never change: procrastination
3. nothing I do is enough: overspending
4. everyone is going somewhere but me: resentful of co-worker

It's surprising how perfectly I've seen these lists line up for people, time and time again!

I think it's really important to understand this connection because it gives us a GREAT shortcut. To change a thought, we can work on transforming -- creating the opposite of -- a habit that manifests that belief.

So, understanding that negative thoughts lead to negative habits, and vice-versa, look at the "recipe card" (from the recipe cards booklet) for transforming habits. Write down a negative thought and a habit that seems to be a manifestation of the thought.

Next, articulate the OPPOSITE of the habit, to create a NEW habit.

For example:

The opposite of biting nails could be painting your nails a fantastic color, and doing it regularly, as a habit. Taking on this new habit is a great way to get unstuck -- and thus, counteract the negative thought of "being stuck".

The opposite of being resentful of the co-worker could be to reach out and provide service, support, assistance, and warmth toward that person. Unlocking the blocked energy in this way immediately makes you more dynamic in the workplace; a small change in habits and suddenly you are more magnetic to others. Even if the co-worker doesn't shift, others around you will. It's a guarantee. That boosts self-esteem and also opens up many doors. And guess who is suddenly "going somewhere" (i.e., transforming the previous negative thought)?

Have some fun with this one. It's powerful stuff.


Material copyrighted by Marney Makridakis of Artella.com. Used with permission by license.