Ben Fletcher at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom devised a study to get people to break their usual habits. Each day the subjects picked a different option from poles of contrasting behaviors — lively/quiet, introvert/extrovert, reactive/proactive — and behaved according to this assignment.

So an introverted person, for example, would act as an extrovert for an entire day. Additionally, twice weekly, they had to stretch to behave in a way outside their usual life pattern – eating or reading something they would never have done.

What do you think was the biggest change in the group?

The remarkable finding was that after four months, the subjects had lost an average of eleven pounds. And six months later, almost all had kept the weight off; some continued to lose weight. This was not a diet, but a study focusing on change and its impact.

The Underlying Principle
Requiring people to change routine behavior makes them actually think about decisions rather than habitually choosing a default mode without consideration. In having to actually process decisions actively, they exercised their choice and decision-making abilities, extending to other choices such as what to eat, and what not to. Once becoming aware of actively making choices, they could decide what’s in their best interest.

“The box” most of us are in is the result of programming and conditioning. And it is self-created in adulthood. Recognizing yourself as the author, the creator of your story challenges an assumed model and leads to the deeper question, “How do I create something else instead?” And, “What will the ‘something else’ be?”

Very thought-provoking… it would be great to hear from anyone who has done something similar…

–> from the article “Coaching Outside the Box”
by David Krueger MD
Executive Mentor Coach
www.coachingcompass.com

Sub-titled “A book that changes lives”, this book by Dan Millman was recommended to me recently by a friend. It’s the semi-autobiographical account of Dan Millman, who feels that there was something missing in his life despite his successes at college. He meets on old man he calls Socrates, who uses a blend of Eastern philosophy, stories and experiences to take on a spiritual odyssey to teach him the Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

You have to be open-minded about what this book is teaching you, as it’s so easy to be in the mindset that you have nothing to learn. The messages throughout the book are deep and uplifting and it does make you examine your life and priorities with fresh eyes. When you learn to admit you’re wrong about things, you immediately start learning more! It’s (almost) as simple as that – but simple doesn’t mean easy. Far from it. The journey that Dan Millman goes through to reach fulfilment shows how easily we are distracted and mis-lead into thinking we’ve reached the ultimate secrets of life.

This book has made such a positive impact on me, that I wish I’d known of its existence when it was published many years ago. But on reflection, it’s probably come into my life at the right time for me to appreciate it, learn from it and tell others about it too

You can view the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior, and see other readers reviews, here.

For anyone who decides to read it – I wish you great enjoyment! And if it makes a difference in your life, then tell someone else about it too.

Wishing you peace,
Tracey