Changing your reaction
Physically, behavior is triggered by impulses in the brain. The brain itself responds to these chemicals it produces. Some of these chemicals make you feel positive, eager, and energetic. Others, make you feel miserable and hopeless. On that note, good behavior reaction produces good feelings. Bad behavior reaction produces bad feelings.
Use visualization to help promote changing your negative reaction towards significant stress triggers. See the new positive reaction frequently in your mind. For instance, how would you react the next time your boss discredits your outstanding work performance? When you finally encounter your significant stressor again, your positive reaction will naturally appear.
Succeeding in behavior change requires that you must know what you want. It requires that you must stop blaming others for your behavior. It requires that you must control your emotions. You must focus on you. Also focus on the progress you have made toward a goal in order to avoid feelings of defeat. Your job is you, not others.
Planning Reasonable Goals
If you aim and attempt to act beyond your capabilities you will fail. This would incur added stress upon you. Keep a balance when setting reasonable goals for yourself. It is a good idea to make a list of all the big things you want, if not now, some day. Long- term goals could be considered the end product of what you want. Also set intermediate goals of achieving what is required to get closer the long-term goals. Finally, set short-term goals of things you must do to acquire your intermediate goals. For example, a long-term goal would be to build a dream home. Intermediate goals would be consulting with architects to design the specification of that dream house, determining, then meeting the requirements set by the Natural Planning and Development Office, and consulting with contractors who would build the house. Finally, short-term goals would be to allocate the money for your project and planning a time schedule towards completion of the house.
One way to progress toward your goals is to tell yourself that you are already a master of your destiny. Once you believe this you have overcome the problem of doubt. As you proceed with your tasks, practice visualization. Close you eyes and engage in whatever activity you would like to accomplish. Think yourself of having achieved all the skills and passed all the trials that would lead you to having accomplished your goal. Notice that you are filled with confidence. Your breath moves easily in and out and you can see how effortless the work is because you love it and you do it so well.
