The STOP technique part 2

 Remember this?

it just might help with the STOP technique!

The journey continues on the yellow brick road with HeadGym 

A couple of weeks ago I introduced the  STOP  technique which is a great tool to add to your toolbox, although simple the changes can be huge as it works on a number of levels. If you want to continue on the yellow brick road with HeadGym then read on and keep following the blogs. This technique can be used in many different situations for example: thought distraction, general refocus, pain and phobia distraction, it’s not rocket science but it works.

When working with one of my clients they came up with this list of benefits that the STOP technique gave them when applied to stopping the use of some words.

It allows a pause and reflect moment for thinking about your reason for using the word.

It creates a positive habit in your thoughts prior to taking action

It helps move your focus into a positive mode in a split second

Therefore your intentions will be more positive

It makes you aware of yourself and others

You notice how your words can affect others

People around you are more likely to use similar words

REMEMBER POSITIVE WILL ATTRACT POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WILL ATTRACT NEGATIVE

Lets take it a step further and apply to some more language changes;

Think about some phrases you may use that can hold you back or may be counter productive or maybe provide justification, be just an excuse and have no basis or reasoning. You need to be really honest with yourself, it may take a little time for you to recognise them, it would be useful to work with a friend on this to help you identify some.

When you do identify one it can seem that there is little or no substance to why you say it, it may be something you have said for years or even that somebody else said to you, they may have even told you what or how you are (negative or positive) and you could well have taken on the phrase or accepted the associated role, behaviour and feelings. You may have heard people say “if we are told something enough times we start to believe it”,  with this in mind if we tell ourselves enough times in the positive we may just start to believe it too!

For now just go with the challenge and see what transpires.

Some examples

“That’s just what I do”   

“I will never change”

“I have always struggled with that”

“That’s just me”

“I’m not good with people”

Just follow the same principle and pick yourself up when you say or think these phrases, the same as with the word challenge and choose as many as you like. Now create new positive statements to replace them I have put a few examples below, it works best if you use your own.

Be brave, the more positive the phrase, the more effect they will have. Get into the STOP habit!

Example:

“That’s just what I do”   to   I am forward thinking”

“I will never change”     to     I have changed”

“I have always struggled with that”  to    “I have overcome that”

“That’s just me”   to    “I can adapt” 

“I’m not good with people”  to   ” I am good with people” or “I am great with people”

Have fun on the yellow brick road!

Neil