So Bagger, You almost started with a question but obviously you know the answer. You never have to raise your stress if you are happy with the status quo. But for most of us, as with my writing and publishing challenge, I had to adjust my schedule to get the most productivity for my efforts. So at 3:00 a.m. I get the most done. The inherant stress that I could have felt burried under would be giving up my evenings, some dramatic television. Initially I felt deprived but a little bit of calm, mature consideration and I was happy to give up these things in light of the satisfaction of a more important goal. That is the real secret, if there is one. Here's a great and short little mind game to play whenever you are adjusting your life to accomodate a new demand, be in invited or not. I will place this in light of the scenario I painted since I think most people will agree that a 7:00 bedtime and 3:00 arisal is unusual.
After I found a solution to my sleep and writing problems I still felt like it would be a stressful adjustment. So I used this method to realign my thinking into something positive and calm.
My stressful thinking: I will hate going to bed so early I can't have any evening phone time, the only time for most of my friends, and I can't watch "my favorite programs" and it's still light outside when I go to bed."
Question One: Is this true?
"We'll yes, I will be going to bed at infantile hours, missing my shows, and it is light outside."
Question Two: Is it all really true?
"Well no, I actually like going to bed early, I usually only watch TV because I don't feel like doing much else since I've been working with clients since 6:00 a.m. I don't really care that much about the TV shows as I miss them anyime a friend invites me to dinner or comes over for a visit or a book I'm reading is at a good place. Frankly, I love sleeping in on the weekend after the sun comes up so what's the big difference?"
Question Three: How do you feel when you think the stressful thoughts?
"I feel deprived and controlled by my busy life. I feel like I am limited by my own choices and like I expect too much out of life."
Question Four: How do you feel when you aren't thinking about it?
"I think it is luxurious to lay down in bed with no responsibility to anyone at a wickedly early hour of the night. I absolutely love getting the writing accomplished as I have always wanted to finish my manuscript and feel like I am making real progress. I also love that I write more usable text in two hours that I used to get when I would force my tired mind to sit at the computer from 7:00-11:00 every evening. I frankly think watching the television, and somebody elses made up story, a waste of time even if I'm not watching the silly game and reality shows. I feel in complete control, achieving my goals and able to adjust my schedule when ever I feel like it serves my life best."
Ok this may seem silly but it is a tried and true method. And now I don't have to think about it any longer I just accept my adjustments and the stress inducing demand is not longer a negative issue. I also have to do this with training because it is important to me I am happy to make the necessary sacrifices to make it safe and effective.
It is really all about acceptance of what is. Do the best to orchestrate the most peaceful environment in light of the new demands and then accept the reality. I swear it gets easier with practice. Staying focused on the difficulty and the negative is a practiced mental exercise also. Take your pick.
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