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If you’ve done any amount of reading on the psychology of personalities, you’ve heard of “locus of control.” This simply means beliefs as regards who or what hold the power over our lives.
Most people veer toward either an “external” or “internal” locus of control - that is believing that things happen to them, or that they MAKE things happen. Truth is, there’s a little bit of both in most things in life. Wile E. Coyote may occasionally drop an anvil on your head even when all your best planning is in place. Every so often, though, we may stand under a piano tied to a quickly-fraying rope and stare at it, waiting for it to thwack us, and then are surprised when that happens!
Last week we talked about “future you” but we also need proactive strategies for “present you.” You miss your alarm clock and dash out the door barely dressed, never mind with food. What do you do? If you didn’t seed your desk, car, or locker with non-perishables (raisins, nuts, tuna pouches, bars, shakes) then you may have to venture into the world for sustenance. If you’re anywhere near civilization, there’s a guarantee you CAN find something on plan - the question is, will YOU choose it?
When Cardio Bill sends out his emails during boot camp, he always capitalizes YOU. This is because we can have the best toolbox in the world - the best and most efficient way to lose weight and get stronger and healthier - but is ultimately up to US to choose to follow it. Many of these decisions are made in a split second - a series of small choices each day that cumulatively result in success or not.
In that moment when you’re standing at the Subway counter, will it be the spinach and chicken salad, or the meatball sub? When you hit that accursed alarm, will you get vertical and go to class, or roll back over and go to sleep? I know which one your inner child wants, but the adult needs to assert control. You are not weak-willed. To quote the spiel that every boot camper gets at orientation - it’s a matter of your WHY being stronger than your “why not.” Visualizing yourself doing a full push-up or fitting into that dress or getting off of medications (outcome visualization.) But you must also imagine the steps you need to take, the obstacles you are bound to find in your way, and how you will respond to them in the moment (process visualization.)
Take a moment whenever you need to consider a choice you are being faced with, and imagine yourself making the choice that promotes your health and gets you closer to your goals.
YOU have the control. Will YOU choose to exercise it?
All the best,
Marcey
Coach Marcey Tidwell is started as a client with NGPT in January 2011. Joining the team as an accountability coach, she wears many hats in assisting the Meltdown Nation! Nurse Marcey by day, she brings a wealth of knowledge the program!
