Well, it took me a little longer than I had intended, but I am back to update you on my ‘New Choice’ experiment from the Judgment post I made a few weeks ago. I would have to say that it is working for me, and I have expanded it to more areas of my life.
First of all, using it with judgment seems to be helping me. When I catch myself being judgmental, a quick ‘New Choice’ or two points it out and moves me along to the next thought. I wish I could say that it has cured me of being judgmental, but that would be a lie. What it has done is made me recognize more quickly that I am being judgmental. It also helps move me along to the next thought quicker, so that I can get out of the judgment mode. And it seems to work particularly well for me with self-judgment. It becomes a bit of a game. Sometimes I go so far as to ‘New Choice’ myself to the most ridiculous thing I can come up with just to get me off that self-judgment train.
Secondly, I have started using it with other things as well. For instance, it makes it a bit more fun when I catch myself using dis-empowering language and want to change it to empowering language. So when I catch myself ‘shoulding’ on myself, I can say ‘New Choice’ and change it (to maybe ‘I choose’) quickly. It even works with dietary choices – when I am reaching for those chips for a snack, I can ‘New Choice’ myself over to a piece of fruit.Â
Is it a corny game? Perhaps. Is it working for me? It seems to be doing what I wanted it to – making me look at my choices and making me change some old habits.
So there you are – my update. Did you decide to try it? How is it working for you? I’d love to hear. And now it’s time to ‘New Choice’ (who would have thought it was a verb?!?!) myself off the computer and outside to work in the garden!
Judy…Thanks for your insight. I have made a game of “New Choice”…and it is telling…mostly around my judgement of others. I find that “New Choice” has helped me get through moments of frustration…changing a negative thought quickly to a positive one…it is challenging at times…but I am finding that it is indeed possible. It chills me in a really good way. Thanks again.
Glad it works for you! I certainly find that things that are fun make it easier for me to reach my goals (e.g. less judgment!)