#5 How did I ever let that stop me?

ByLukas

The other day you asked about my favorite words.

But what I really want to write about is my favorite questions.

Because as much as words can spark imagination, questions are what steer the mind – to good places or bad.

Consider this one:

“Why do I always give up when I start a new habit?“

This presupposes that I always give up and will ask my brain to come up with reasons (and excuses) to justify and perpetuate that behavior.

  • Why do I always get frustrated when something doesn’t go my way?
  • Why do I always wait until the last minute to start on a project, so I get stressed and barely meet the deadline?
  • Why do I always give up when I start writing and publishing daily?

And off I go, finding excuses for behavior, thus perpetuation.

“Look at all the reasons I found for behaving this way. I may not like it, but I guess this is who I am.”

Why would you send your mind there… If you could also ask yourself a question like:

“What would it feel like if I were already writing and publishing every day?”

How would I feel about myself…

How would I look at myself?

What would I say, what would I create… How would I act?

Which obstacles would I have conquered?

Which excuses would have become irrelevant, making me shake my head, saying to myself, “How did I ever let that stop me?”

And just like that, with my imagination set free

internal resistance melting away

off I go

finally becoming who I’ve always wanted to be.

P.S: If you MUST ask the “Why do I always…” questions, at least use them to justify and perpetuate positive behavior.

Why do I always wake up and immediately write three pages stream of consciousness?

  • Because it helps me slow down.
  • Because it makes me aware of negative (and positive thought patterns).
  • Because I feel calm after writing them.
  • Because ever since I started, more creative, productive, and disciplined
  • Because this is who I am now. And I love this version of me much more than the one from before I started writing every day.

P.P.S.: Alright then, one more question to think (or journal) about:

Where am I perpetuating a situation or habit I say I don’t want but I secretly cling to because it feels comfortable and has become part of my identity?

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#291 Beliefs follow actions

ByLukas

When you write every day, you believe you can write every day.

When you don’t write every day, you believe you can’t every day.

And so it goes for running, working out, eating healthy, playing the guitar, or anything else you’re frustrated or satisfied with.

Beliefs follow actions.

Actions confirm beliefs.

So follow your actions to uncover your beliefs.

Then change your actions to change your beliefs.

#315 You don’t have a shot at getting results yet

ByLukas

Most habits are hard to stick to because they promise not only a positive lifestyle change but also instant results.

But worrying about building a habit and getting results at the same time leads to frustration and, ultimately, failure – after all, when building a habit, showing up every day is already hard enough.

First, you must learn to trust that you can show up every day, even if you don’t see improvement right away.

Only then do you get a shot at getting results.

The key is in the power of tiny actions, consistently taken.

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#80 Replacing sensations with words

ByLukas

First I feel.

Then I learn to categorize those feelings with words – until at some point, I don’t feel sensations anymore. I feel words.

I say I’m angry – but what does being angry feel like again?

I say I’m happy – but which sensations rush through my body?

I say I’m sad – but does sadness always feel the same?

With sensations comes nuance.

#328 Why do you love it so much?

ByLukas

Why do you love writing, despite the fact that the act of writing is often a drag?

Why do you love running, despite the fact that the act of going for a run is often a chore?

Why do you love learning languages, despite the fact that the act of practicing is often riddled with frustration?

Why do you love it so much?

And wouldn’t it feel good to remind yourself of that love every day… so you make sure the love is there to stay?

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