Day #7: Small Trigger Begone!

From the Orange Rhino:

Good morning!

I hope you all slept better than I did as lack of sleep is a HUGE trigger for me. It is the test beyond tests! So even though today I will be focusing on keeping a huge trigger in check, I encourage you to work on the small trigger you identified yesterday. Why start here? I am hoping two days of focusing on a small trigger will help you get confidence that you can yell less!

TODAY’s THOUGHTs:

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
~Leonardo DaVinci

It is easy to say what our triggers are. It can be easy to come up with solutions to avoid said triggers.  But it is not easy to actually start practicing and stop preaching. It is hard to find the courage and the strength to say “Today is the day!” I am going to really focus today! But I believe you can all do it because I am seeing incredible focus and determination!

TODAY’s ACTIONs:

Practice! Today and tomorrow you will focus on the 1 small trigger/easy to change.

1. Start by designing a plan to conquer that moment. (Do you need to set out shoes out for your child? Do you need to wear an apron at bath time so you don’t get wet and scream? Do you need to make a trip to Home Depot or Target for some organizational items?) Remember, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication! Sometimes there really is an easy plan!

2. Review my list of 100 Alternatives to yelling and have 3-5 Alternatives in the back of your mind so if the need arises, they are already on your mind.   http://theorangerhino.com/alternatives-to-yelling/ Peruse my list, pick a few simple ones that seem relevant to the situation you will be handling and keep them top of mind. Re-read them over and over again so you remember them. (Can you stop and talk a walk around the house? Can you jog in place for the endorphin release? Can you take the kids out for a walk?) Whatever you choose, have a plan in place!

3. Share what action you did or have chosen to avoid your small trigger and/or what alternative to yelling helped.

http://theorangerhino.com/30daychallenge/2013/03/02/day-6-7-practicing-eliminating-small-trigger/

password: icanyellless

4. As soon as you have a few spare minutes, if you haven’t already, now is a great time to pick up some orange post it notes or orange nail polish or something other fun orange things to help keep this challenge top of mind!

I know practice makes perfect is a common phrase. Forget the perfect. Too much pressure! Here, practice gives us knowledge (about what works and what doesn’t) and more so it gives us confidence.

Good Luck!