GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT - BECK DISCUSSION FOR NOVEMBER BOARD

Ok, here's another one that's tough for some of us (Yes, Shawn, I'm pointing at you and ME!) - GIVING OURSELVES CREDIT. Oh, boy, we are good at feeling guilty over what we've done "wrong" but we have to learn to give ourselves credit for what we do that's good. If we dwell on the negatives, they built into brick walls that we keep bumping up against. We give our so-called failures ALL the power. Our motivation melts under the weight of that brick wall that we ourselves built BRICK BY BRICK. Well, giving ourselves credit will help us build a BRIDGE over that brick wall. Hey, that's what successful people do, right? They see an obstacle and they find a way around it, over it or through it. Britt realized that her coffee creamer was an obstacle to her reaching her goal. She found a solution - she'll switch to tea. I'll bet the tea will taste really good too and she'll feel good about switching when she thinks about how many calories she will save. Now, she might also feel frustrated that she can't have the coffee creamer and start thinking a few sabotaging thoughts. "It's not FAIR I can't have my coffee creamer every day." If she "negotiates" with herself, she'll remind herself she's choosing to let the coffee creamer go to help her reach her goal and when she's successful in avoiding it, she should give herself credit and a pat on the back. If she did it one day, she can do it another. And, the credits build up and motivate us to keep up the good work. The other evening, I started listing a few things I could give myself credit for over that day. Here's a few: 1. I developed a thorough training session plan for my Strength class so I felt confident about what we would do in class that day. 2. I had a back-up CD to play when my iPod set up didn't work - it turns out the boss that messed with the stereo cabinet and had put things back together wrong! 3. I resisted buying a bagel at the coffee shop when I was tempted 4. I didn't buy anything expensive in Ulta when I was there. 5. I resisted buying fresh bread (oh, it smelled good) and a candy bar at the supermarket when I was oh, so tempted! 6. After the supermarket, I was very tempted to grab lunch out but I negotiated with myself and decided the lunch I could prepare at home would be healthier and better than what I would buy. I was very happy that I avoided that temptation. In just a minute or two I came up with those 6 things. We need to stop dwelling on the negatives and give ourselves credit for the good. Now, give me a list of things you deserve credit for today! CeCe

Great Great Great Post CeCe ... I LOVE these !!!! ok your list was terrific (whooooo hoooo cece ) 1) I had my tea as planned - and yes Cece IT WAS TASTY! 2) I missed the gymn this morning ... but jogged 3 miles when Paul came home from work ...we took the kids to the park - they play and I jogged 3 miles a win win situation! 3) They all got MISTER SOFTEE ... I SAID NO THANKS! 4) the twizlers (2 bags that I bought for this kids that werte ON SALE) - are calling my name I've said NO ALL day .... I am bringing them to this party tomorrow and know that they will all go BYE BYE)

1. I chose eggs for breakfast over a bowl of cereal or a bagel with cream cheese. 2. I have been resisting the 7 dozen cookies that I made for the kids the other day. They have been calling my name, but I have not had ANY!!!!! 3. The scale has not moved up in 3 days!!!! It hasn't gone down, but at least it has stopped going up..... 4. I have resisted my morning and afternoon munchies and replaced my nighttime munchies with fresh veggies!!!! HUGS to All, Shawn M.

I got another one..... We had a huge party today for our youth pastor and his wife... They are leaving our church and moving across the state for a new church... It was a sad day, but I have to say...... I DID NOT have any cake!!!!!!! I ate some pulled pork and some salad and that was it.... I was soooo proud of myself with all the choices of food and goodies that were there..... YEAH ME!!!!!!! PLUS I walked to the party instead of driving (about 1/2 a mile each way)..... Another Yeah Me!!!!! Just had to share.... HUgS to ALL, Shawn M.

Shawn, Shame on me for not taking the time to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your "give yourself credit" posts over the weekend!!! I smiled and smiled reading them and am so HAPPY that you are giving yourself credit! YES, YEA YOU!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing! Even on our worst days, there are things we can and should give ourselves credit for! In fact, those are the days we really need to pat ourselves on the back for the positives! I'm going to start a "give yourself credit" post today so I hope to see your name on it!1 CeCe

Thanks CeCe!!! It wasn't that hard to figure out what to put either... Now a few weeks ago it may have been harder... LOL.... HUGs, Shawn M.