Listen to this exercise when you're thinking about giving in to old,
Unhelpful habits rather than staying on track with your goals.
Start by taking some deep,
Slow,
Calming breaths.
It's okay.
You're okay.
Take a moment to notice the thoughts that are running through your mind.
You might be tempted to try and distract yourself from your thoughts,
But I want you to know that it's safe for you to observe your mind.
You see thoughts are simply images,
Ideas and words in your mind.
They do not govern your actions unless you let them.
So see if you can let your thoughts come and go without feeling the need to try and control them in any way.
Just let your thoughts be.
Now bringing your attention to the feelings that are present in your body.
Notice what you experience as you have this strong urge to give up on your goal.
I invite you to take in some deep breaths and as you do,
Imagine that your breath is traveling in and around your feelings of discomfort.
Every breath flows around your feelings.
You might even be able to visualize your breath.
See it flowing around your discomfort,
Growing as it flows,
Maybe even flowing into spaces outside of your body with each breath.
Simply creating space for these feelings to exist.
That's all we're doing,
Just breathing around the feelings as if to say,
You're here and that's okay.
I'm making room for you to be here.
The feelings might change or stay the same,
It doesn't really matter.
All you need to do is let them be.
Just focusing on the breath and this moment right now.
You might not like or enjoy this feeling but continue to allow it to exist without trying to change it.
When you fight or struggle with a feeling or a thought inside of you,
You create unnecessary stress in your body.
You don't need to be at war with yourself,
You just need to be present.
Letting those thoughts and feelings fade into the background now as you bring to mind your goal.
Look back at how far you've come and look forward to see where you're headed.
Here's what your life will look like after you have completed your goal.
Think about how you will feel and what your friends and peers will say of you.
And see if you can expand that good feeling that you know you'll experience when you achieve your goal.
Let it grow.
Let that feeling expand.
Imagine now that nothing stands in your way.
There are no barriers whatsoever between you and the completion of your goals.
Knowing in yourself that you can do it.
Feeling certain of it.
And let that feeling of certainty flow around your body for a few moments.
Knowing that it can be done.
And making a conscious decision about what action you'd like to take towards that goal right away.
Bringing yourself back to your breath.
Breathing deeply.
Opening your eyes and returning to your day.
