After taking time to become aware of the activating events in your life, understanding the beliefs that cause you to react the way you
do to those events, you must then take action to develop strategies to help you overcome the stress you have. Not unexpectedly, this is the most difficult step and the step where most people fail. Why? Well, just like the smoker example before, we are addicted to our behaviors. We’re not sure how we developed them, but we know they’re darn hard to change.
This is where this Action Guide will help. We’ll walk you step by step through the process of developing long term, realizable goals and strategies to help you meet those goals. I know, it sounds like a lot of hocus-pocus and needless busywork. But I’m sorry to tell you, it’s your life we’re talking about here. Do you want to live it stressed out and exhausted? Or do you want to live a life that is full and exhilarating?
What puts it all in perspective for me is to imagine what it will be like when your time on earth is about over. Do you want to look back at your life and have regrets? Stephen Covey uses this technique in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. Habit #2 is to “Begin with the End in Mind”. This is a powerful technique to develop motivation today in order to bring about desired outcomes tomorrow.
We have one more topic to cover before we dig in and get started for real. Ready? Then read on . . .
Next Step:
Our Subconscious Stress – Fight or Flight
Our fight or flight response is nature’s own stress inducer.
Previous Step:
Possible Solutions to Your Stress
Solving your stress depends on what works for you.
Other Steps in this Section:
Once you know the causes of stress, you are better equipped to develop an action plan to address your stress.
The ABC Model helps you understand the causes of stress.
Activating Events are those events in your environment that cause you to get stressed.
Your beliefs or thoughts can be a major contributor to your stress.
Activating events coupled with your beliefs end up with the consequences of stress.
Understanding Your Stressful Situations
Once you become aware of your present situation, you can then begin to understand your stress.
