There is an unrecognized epidemic, and it is recking havoc on countless numbers of people, creating situations of dread and despair. It is the epidemic of ineffective behavior, and it is destroying lives -maybe even yours!
It starts with an ineffective mindset or mental state, creating limiting beliefs that lead to behavior patterns that not only prevent you from reaching your goals or potential, but often times will lead you away from what you truly desire.
Take a moment and think of some observations you have made with friends, family, co-workers, strangers, or even yourself. Can you remember thinking well that’s an incredibly ineffective idea/behavior or perhaps you were more blunt thinking well that’s just stupid. With some attention it is scary how ineffective people’s, (even your own), choices are. Diet plans and workout routines continuing to fail, a career change that never seems to happen, or the financial plan that only leads to more debt…. are you recognizing you in any of these traps too?
The ineffectiveness is also happening in our communication patterns, complicating our relationships with unclear expression of needs, or blaming others for personal disappointments. Perhaps the most ineffective is the bad rap assertive communication is getting from people speaking their “truths.” Assertive communication, when from the core self, has a layer of compassion and kindness that allows others to have their opinion as well. Many times, one’s “truth,” comes from the ego not the core self and the ego loves to judge, shame, and blame. The ego easily switches the communication from assertive to aggressive and not allowing for other perspectives, (**It is important to note that allowing for is not the same as agreeing with – perspectives are subjective).
So, what is the first step to shift out of ineffective behavior? In short it is your awareness – awareness of what and how you are thinking and how that thinking is affecting your behavior. Awareness allows for you to shift from feeling powerless due to outside factors to focusing on the internal factors you have full control over. When viewing the world as something that happens to you, it is called being in effect – and it is disempowering and majority of the time extremely ineffective. It is letting external factors take your power and it is letting your potential diminish. The awareness that I speak of is being at cause. Accepting the responsibility to take ownership in how you are thinking and behaving and recognizing if it is getting you closer or further from your goals. It does not mean always being “successful,” but accepting the feedback provided from any experience to continue to pursue your goals. When you are at cause, you are ready to start your action plan for reaching the goals you desire.
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