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Whether you're at a crossroads right now or you're simply maneuvering through your life, recognizing that you always have a choice about what you want and how you feel can transform even the most challenging circumstances.
Here's a simple shift I've found very useful to practice and share:
Step One: The moment you feel the onset of any negative emotion, stop and breathe. (Feel free to enjoy every moment of all positive emotions. Unabashedly increase them whenever possible.)
Step Two: Ask yourself, "What do I want right now?"
Step Three: Listen to yourself--then do one thing that's in your power to do about it right away. (Examples: excuse yourself and walk away or ask a positive question)
The great thing about making this simple shift is that it works every bit as well on the big transitions as it does on the everyday challenges we face--those small crossroads where we need to choose an emotion or action.
The only difference is the amount of focus required. There are the big transitions--in which you have to work through the emotions you feel as you uncover what you have to let go and what you have to embrace. This happens at times like these: when your child graduates, you experience a career change, or your life partner retires. These transitions require you to shift continually, as you choose to focus on what you want over several months or even years.
The everyday crossroads we face can be handled with the simple shift of focusing on your emotions in the moment and choosing what we want to do from there.
Try this out for yourself over the next 30 days and see what you discover. Post your thoughts and comments below.
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