What Behavior Change are You Ambivalent About?
Recently I’ve been doing numerous trainings in Motivational Interviewing, a language I learned and trained in to help clients resolve ambivalence with behavior change.
What is surprising to me is that so many health care professionals feel they can give people a laundry list of what to do and expect them to be successful, while they themselves have so many behaviors they are ambivalent about.
Are you thinking about changing a particular lifestyle behavior? Something you so want to change but the obstacles seem too great?
Think about a behavior you were able to conquer in the past. What helped you with the change? Was it a particular thought you had, a change in behavior or a boundary you set for yourself? Whatever it was see if you can apply the concept and tools to the current situation.
If you were able to conquer smoking, what helped you get through those difficult moments? What helped you with the cravings?
True motivation comes from within. No one can hand it to you, but no one can take it away, either.
Sometimes the negatives in our head just need to be sorted through so the fears of change can be overcome.
We have good reasons why we do the things we do. Ask yourself what’s good about the negative behavior you want to change.
Although this may sound silly, it may help you realize why you are doing the negative behavior. Having self-empathy can spur you towards change and help finally resolve your ambivalence.
