At the commencement of each year, news media encourages us to reflect on the year past and consider what we will do differently this year. For many of us, this process reminds our better to self show up. And this precious person shows up in force for the first week or month or even through March of each year. Then, the resolutions begin to tarnish. The familiar self we are less proud of arrives more frequently.
Stop now. Before this happens. Engage in a short exercise with me. Let’s discuss that admirable, capable person you strive to be during most of your daytimes.
- When during your day does your better self show up more easily?
- What are you doing then?
- How does s/he move?
- What words does s/he use?
- What’s possible when your best self sticks around all day?
Really examine the answers to these questions. What can you do during each day to recapture that better self in the moments when you find yourself struggling?
If you can be your best self for an extra minute or two on those rough days, often that momentum can carry you farther than the initial minute.