Resistance Tactics: Strategies for Change
Lesson 26
Resistance Tactics: Strategies For Change
Resisting Change
You are likely to resist change because it creates chaos and conflict. Change riles things up, bringing out emotions you are not used to or comfortable with feeling. It also means you are striking out into dangerous territory, the unknown. Your mind may panic at the thought of having to change comfortable patterns of negative behavior to more positive ones. If you take a good, honest look at your behaviors, you will probably discover some common resistance tactics.
Identifying Your Resistance Tactics
Delay.
Do you often procrastinate or forget things that you wanted to do so much? I can not go to the beach today. I will go next week, next month, next summer, when I am thinner.
Denial.
Do you see problems in everybody except yourself? My friend thinks the reason she does not have a boyfriend is because her nose is too big. She really should see a therapist.
Blame.
Do you always blame either yourself or someone else for keeping you back or stopping you from making positive changes in your life? My mother never told me I was pretty. It is her fault I have such a bad self-image.
Rationalization.
Do you tell yourself every reason in the book, except the real reason, why you are not willing to change? I can not wear straight skirts because I need to project a professional image.
Avoidance.
Do you get sick, lose things, arrive late to avoid confrontations that feel threatening? I forgot to bring my lunch today. There is nothing low calorie I could buy for lunch, so I may as well splurge and have a pizza.
Overcoming Resistance
Once you figure out which resistance tactics you have been using, it will be easier for you to catch yourself when you are in the act of resisting. The first step is to admit you are resisting something. Next, set modest goals that you think you can achieve. Expect that you will succeed, and concentrate on your progress, not your setbacks.
Start to act.
Action makes you feel less helpless and more powerful. If you decide that you want to start an exercise class, then do it! You wll discover that resistance keeps you stuck in one place, but action serves as a catalyst, moving you forward toward more change. If you change old behaviors gradually rather than all at once you are more likely to succeed. Your mind and your body need time to adapt and adjust to these new changes.
Celebrate the Change
You will notice as you work toward changing your negative body image that it never really mattered how your body looked. What mattered most is the way you viewed it, how you thought others saw it. Whereas before you looked at yourself with self rejecting eyes, you now view yourself with self acceptance, with generosity and forgiveness. Look in the mirror and say to yourself, I like myself just the way I am! Then celebrate the changes that helped you to realize that you can love your body and yourself.
Gene C.
Resistance Tactics: Strategies For Change
Resisting Change
You are likely to resist change because it creates chaos and conflict. Change riles things up, bringing out emotions you are not used to or comfortable with feeling. It also means you are striking out into dangerous territory, the unknown. Your mind may panic at the thought of having to change comfortable patterns of negative behavior to more positive ones. If you take a good, honest look at your behaviors, you will probably discover some common resistance tactics.
Identifying Your Resistance Tactics
Delay.
Do you often procrastinate or forget things that you wanted to do so much? I can not go to the beach today. I will go next week, next month, next summer, when I am thinner.
Denial.
Do you see problems in everybody except yourself? My friend thinks the reason she does not have a boyfriend is because her nose is too big. She really should see a therapist.
Blame.
Do you always blame either yourself or someone else for keeping you back or stopping you from making positive changes in your life? My mother never told me I was pretty. It is her fault I have such a bad self-image.
Rationalization.
Do you tell yourself every reason in the book, except the real reason, why you are not willing to change? I can not wear straight skirts because I need to project a professional image.
Avoidance.
Do you get sick, lose things, arrive late to avoid confrontations that feel threatening? I forgot to bring my lunch today. There is nothing low calorie I could buy for lunch, so I may as well splurge and have a pizza.
Overcoming Resistance
Once you figure out which resistance tactics you have been using, it will be easier for you to catch yourself when you are in the act of resisting. The first step is to admit you are resisting something. Next, set modest goals that you think you can achieve. Expect that you will succeed, and concentrate on your progress, not your setbacks.
Start to act.
Action makes you feel less helpless and more powerful. If you decide that you want to start an exercise class, then do it! You wll discover that resistance keeps you stuck in one place, but action serves as a catalyst, moving you forward toward more change. If you change old behaviors gradually rather than all at once you are more likely to succeed. Your mind and your body need time to adapt and adjust to these new changes.
Celebrate the Change
You will notice as you work toward changing your negative body image that it never really mattered how your body looked. What mattered most is the way you viewed it, how you thought others saw it. Whereas before you looked at yourself with self rejecting eyes, you now view yourself with self acceptance, with generosity and forgiveness. Look in the mirror and say to yourself, I like myself just the way I am! Then celebrate the changes that helped you to realize that you can love your body and yourself.
Gene C.
posted by Gene Carbonell at
5:16 PM
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