This quote, or a variation of it, has been attributed to automotive tycoon Henry Ford, motivational speaker Tony Robbins, and even Albert Einstein. No matter who and when it was first coined, it is a timeless truth and one that can help you take back your power and find your potential during times of uncertainty, frustration, boredom, apathy, or even sadness.
“If you do what you did, you get what you get” translates to the truth that if you keep the same patterns in your life, from eating poorly to tolerating bad relationships, for example, you’ll continue to be frustrated with your weight or your relationship satisfaction. It also means that when you make good choices and are focused on what you want and new ways to get there, you’re more likely to achieve that reality.
In part one of this post, we share ways our clients at Center for Shared Insight in Denver, Colorado overcome unhealthy patterns so that they don’t continue to get the same unwanted experiences in their lives. Read on to learn more about how we support clients through the process of change.
Remember the good times
If you are stuck in a rut or in a situation you don’t want, remember a time in your life where that wasn’t the reality. Let’s take the example of how you feel physically in your body, or a recent pattern of not prioritizing your physical health. Perhaps you don’t have a great body image right now or your clothes aren’t fitting the way you would like them to fit. This could be due to COVID inactivity or just a general winter pattern for you when you are less inspired to exercise and more inclined to make comfort-oriented eating choices. These less healthy choices are likely related to mental health as well. Instead of dwelling on how you failed, reflect on a time in your life when you were feeling great about your body image and inspired to take care of yourself to get insights into how to get back there.
Recreate similar dynamics
Think back to the last time you felt great about your body, and felt fit, healthy, and energized. Consider the specific dynamics that made you motivated to prioritize healthy eating and exercise. Maybe you were working toward an external goal, like getting fit for a class reunion or wedding. Maybe you were getting more sleep and had less stress at work, which helped you cultivate the motivation to exercise regularly and eat well. Perhaps you were single during that time and therefore had the time to prioritize self-care, exercise, and well-being. Or maybe you even limited your time on social media and reading the news, which left more time for the important things. Think back to when you had the feeling you are striving for and do what you can to recreate the dynamics that made it easy for you to “get” something different.
This might also be bigger picture. Maybe you simply just haven’t been feeling great. Perhaps it’s COVID funk or feeling like you are in a rut. Maybe you haven’t thought about goals for the year or aren’t doing anything to facilitate self-growth. Recall the last time you were feeling really good about yourself and write a list about what you were doing. Maybe you were spending more time with friends, were in a healthy relationship, or were even living in a different place. Do what you can to recreate the dynamics that made you feel oh-so good. “If you do what you did, you get what you get” works in a positive way too.
While we focused on body image and physical health in this post, the same dynamics and considerations apply to the desire to improve relationships, career, family, friendships, and more.
Make small commitments
Change is challenging, intimidating, and often daunting. It can also be exciting, motivating, and energizing, if you choose to have a growth mindset when it comes to change. What is certain is that change is a process and if you can make small commitments that contribute to your ultimate goal, you’ll likely be more successful.
Looking back to the example of wanting to feel healthier in your body, perhaps the first commitment is to incorporate exercise into your life three times per week. Once you build success around that small commitment, replace your existing lunch go-to with a healthier option four times a week. From there, maybe you incorporate practices that support mental health (which will help you continue making great choices) by journaling twice a week or practicing other forms of self-care and self-reflection. Your process to arrive at change will look different but consider small, incremental commitments to build success around what you want.
At Center for Shared Insight in Denver, Colorado, we help clients understand the true changes they desire in their life and paths to get there. We support their process of change by reflecting with them on the why and how of their future vision as it relates to health, relationships, career, family, or otherwise.
Tune into part two of this post to read more about how this same principle applies to dating and relationships!
