ANOTHER BLOCK TO MOTIVATION: STRESS

Stress is a physical reaction that arises when there is no connection between what we are doing and our purpose in life, and thoughts that we have internalized as negative and that take away our power. Some of these thoughts are:

1. Victim thought

2. Inflexibility and resistance to change

3. Low self-esteem

There are a number of tools you can use to de-stress:

1. Reevaluate your life.

2. Focus in the midst of stress.

3. Observe yourself within the situation without judging yourself (witness.)

4. Learn to stay in the present moment and doing one thing at a time.

5. Don’t worry. Take care of what you can remedy. If the solution is not within your power, release it.

Stress manifests itself both physically, as well as emotionally, socially and mentally. Not all stress is bad. Many times it’s stress that motivates us to act to achieve our goals.

Stress becomes a problem when it paralyzes us or affects our lives in a harmful way. Out-of-control stress can lead us to become physically, mentally, and emotionally ill.

 STRESS CHART

  EXAMPLES                          YOUR EXAMPLES

CAUSE  I argued with
my partner
I didn’t turn in
a job on time
         
PHYSICAL
RESPONSE
Knot in my
stomach
Nausea
Blushing
Knot in my
stomach
     
MY BEHAVIORI was hurtfulI defended
myself
     

   EXAMPLES                         YOUR EXAMPLES

HOW I FELT Ashamed
Angry
Ashamed Angry       
WHY I DIDN’T DO
WHAT I WANTED
TO DO
I felt
cornered
Lack of planning Procrastination    
WHAT I WOULD
HAVE LIKED
TO DO
Dialogue
without
offending
I wanted  the earth
to swallow me.
    
WAYS TO DEAL
WITH STRESS
Count to 10. Breathe deeply.Set priorities.
Plan my time.  
    

Things that motivate us:

1. Start the day with an affirmation, or

2. Start the day by asking yourself empowering questions, such as, how can I make this a productive and wonderful day?

3. Program yourself for success. After waking up, take several minutes to see if you have a particular issue that you have to work with, you can make a special statement for it. (You can do this anywhere – the shower on the bus, in the car etc.)

In other words, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This way you will avoid many stressful moments in your life.

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