It Worked For Me…DOSE

Simple. Profound. Powerful.

That is, when you choose to use it.

I would be stuck in my stupidity…er, I mean that I would be making my latest attempt to feel better when I would suddenly realize that I’m actually feeling worse. I would be sitting at my machine of the moment and I would experience a brief moment of clarity when I could see that I was losing too much money and that I was hungry and had to go to the bathroom.

When you’re stuck in your stuff it’s hard to pry yourself away from it. I had to figure out a way to get my mind off of it.

One of the most important steps I used to overcome my gambling addiction was to take my DOSE. DO Something Else.

When my chance at change came with my moment of clarity I usually would remember that being hostage to the stupid machine sucked. I cashed out my money (if I was lucky enough to have any left), got up and left the casino. Just doing that helped clear my mind and made me feel better. The next step depended on the situation, but I would usually go for a walk or go home to sleep. Whatever it was that would lighten my mood and help me feel even better.

What can you do differently? Stop mid-bite. Throw the bag of chips away. Don’t return the email from your affair. Turn off the computer. Something for you came to mind, right? Now that you have some new ideas you can choose to do something else. Celebrate your success!

What is your DOSE? How has it helped you?
Please share your comments below.

P.S. This tip can also be found in my book Numb No More along with more helpful solutions.

Shake the S–t Off Your Shoe

What have you stepped in lately?

Is it possible to see problems, habits and addictions in an amusing and helpful way?

Yep.  Here we go.

There are times in life when you step in the middle of a big steamy pile of poo. When you realize you’ve done this smelly thing you have options:

• You could keep walking and hope that it will eventually wear off. This occurs when we are in denial. You know, “I don’t have a problem.”

• How about pausing for moment to take a whiff? Something smells a bit off but you choose to postpone it and keep moving. “I will quit the next time I (insert your favorite ‘this is the last time’ experience here).”

• Then there’s the possibility that you saw it coming but got distracted and stepped in it anyway.  “I won’t get hooked the first time.  That only happens to other people, not me.”

• You could always look down, see that the mess exists and decide that it stinks and you aren’t going to take it anymore.  Then you get  it off your shoe.  “I’m tired of wasting my life on this stupid problem (habit, addiction).  This has got to stop.  Now.”  At this point you might go get a book (Numb No More is a great one), find a meeting or phone someone who can help.

Choose to shake the s–t off your shoe.  Create a better life for yourself.  You deserve the best you know.

Tell your story.  Share your thoughts with a comment or two.