Let’s get to know the “elephant.”
The framework by Chip Heath and Dan Heath we are unpacking together this week is from their book, Switch. The elephant represents our emotional self, which is bigger and more powerful than the rider. The emotional part of ourselves has to be connected to the change by our feelings. It is not enough to know we need to change something. We have to want it badly enough to motivate ourselves to change our behaviors.
In order for the elephant to follow the clear direction set by the rider, the elephant has to find the feeling. The desires of our heart and our feelings are represented by the elephant, the sum total of our emotions. Have you ever heard the phrase, “I am eating my feelings”? We all have those moments when our feelings are big and powerful and lead us to do things that we know are not good for us.
Tip 52: Find the Feeling.
The elephant can easily get spooked into ignoring the clear direction provided by the rider. One of the most common ways the elephant gets spooked is the feeling that the change is too big, it is too hard. We can easily get overwhelmed by the feeling of “I can’t do it.” And when our big, powerful, emotional elephant gets spooked we can easily get off track.
Therefore, we have to find the feeling that connects us to the behavior change we want in our lives. One thing you can do is put yourself in the presence of others who have achieved the goal you seek.
If you are training to run a race, then go to the next event and stand at the finish line. Feel the joy and accomplishment of the people as they cross the finish line. If you are writing a book, then attend a book signing and imagine yourself as the author people are coming to see.
Tap into a memory in which you were successful accomplishing a goal and revisit that feeling to get inspired. By tapping into your story or the story of another person, you will find the feeling. And with the desire to succeed you will follow the rider’s clear direction and crush your 90-Day Goal.
Please send me your questions, challenges, and suggestions as we continue in the 90-Day Goal Together. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing the journey with you.
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