Managing your Psychology

What do you tell yourself when you are down?

I.

Finished is better than nothing.

Expect to be disappointed by the first version of anything you create, and it’ll make improving on it much easier.

Just work on it for one hour and then you can stop if you like. 

Remember how much you enjoy doing this. That way even if it doesn’t turn out like you hope, at least you’ll have a wonderful time. 

II.

Do things that will build trust between your emotional (younger) and intellectual (adult) selves. Follow your intuition, trust that she will not lead you astray and do what she asks. This will be very valuable when it comes time for her to trust you. If you have built enough trust with her then she may follow you down difficult paths knowing that you have her best interests at heart. She won’t second guess you or use your subconscious to sabotage you. If you support her seemingly inconsequential whims, she will support your planned excursions and you won’t need to use coercion or force to make her do what you say. 

Step out of the frame you’re in and look at the whole situation as if you are not a part of it. If you were a character in a book, what would you say to yourself in this moment?

When - not if, *when* - unexpected things happen, do not panic. If you find yourself panicking, put your face in a bowl of ice water a few times, for a few seconds each time. I’m serious. Being in cold water will slow your breathing and your heart rate which will calm your nervous system down. 

III.

Go for a walk outside in the fresh air. 

Hug your dog for moral support.

Make a flow chart to help you get out of common ruts. When I get anxious, here’s what I do:

IV.

Plan your long term strategy, then break it down into smaller and smaller pieces until you can look at the smallest piece and think, ah, this is easy. Then work on that piece and forget about the rest of it. 

Include check points in your plan. Give the plan enough time to start working before taking stock of your progress. Until then, try not to get discouraged and execute.  

Change one thing at a time. Do not change anything else until your life starts to feel boring again. You’ll know it when it happens.

Try not to predict timelines for things you have no control over, like how long your body is going to take to change. Track your progress using metrics you can control, like how many times you work out or how many times you eat out. 

V.

Solve one problem at a time. If you start to get overwhelmed, just remember, one problem at a time. 

If you feel like procrastinating, procrastinate. Don’t do a half hearted job at it. Follow your heart, don’t stifle your desires. Part of trusting your intuition is trusting that she knows what’s good for her. If she’s asking for a break then give it to her. 

If you aren’t feeling up to it, aim for good enough. 

“There are only two types of player - those who keep their nerves under control and win championships, and those who do not.” - The Greatest Game Ever Played

If all else fails, put on some red lipstick. Trust me, it helps 💋