A Call to Action

There is no happiness that is not somehow rooted in the task of systematic self-examination.

–Plato

This is a remarkable 10-minute animated video about  Daniel Pink’s newest book  Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. He is also the author of A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age.  What motivates us is a crucial question when dealing with the need to make health-creating change. What moves us to do what we do – or not? How can we initiate and sustain meaningful constructive change? Daniel Pink’s work explores these questions. Likewise, one can take similar action towards their health with a Deep Medicine A.C.T.I.O.N. plan.

A Call to Action for Initiating Your Own “Health Plan”

Excerpted from Deep Medicine: Harnessing the Source of Your Healing Power

Finding the source of your healing power does not depend on the latest diet book, celebrity exercise fad, or stress-relieving shortcut. Although quick-fix programs can be helpful and are alluring, it is in mining the wisdom within that we create the personalized, self-directed “health plan” with the greatest likelihood for success and sustainability. That is where the will and energy to eliminate “bad habits” and foster health-creating behavior reside. The common pathway toward health and well being is gaining the knowledge, skills, confidence, and motivation to initiate and sustain desired change in one’s life. There are two elemental motivators for change: 1) something you really want, and 2) something you really don’t want. Our motivation initially comes from external sources (e.g. early results). Ultimately, however, internal motivation related to the core meaning and purpose of your life (e.g. your passion, dream, calling) will provide the fuel to sustain your desired progress.

The Deep Medicine A.C.T.I.O.N. plan –

A = Assess

Become aware of the present moment. In that moment let go of the past and future and assess for right now your “vital signs” with the following 4 questions (1^st proposed by psychologist Wyatt Webb in his book, It’s Not About the Horse – It’s About Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt):

What am I thinking?

What am I feeling?

What am I doing about it?

How is it working?

If things are going well – congratulations!! Keep doing what you are doing. If they are not, then do something else or get some help or both!!

C = Choose

If you discover in your self-assessment that a new course/direction is warranted; consider what you need to learn next (be your own teacher). And what you need to do next (be your own C.E.O.). This likely will involve changing your thoughts (e.g. from negative toward positive), the stories you tell yourself (e.g. moving from a horror story to a healing story), and confronting the emotions associated with those thoughts and stories.

Answering the following questions for yourself can help guide your decision-making process as you set priorities, direction and limits:

Does the decision seem rational?

Does it feel right?

Is it consistent with your concept of truth?

Is it in line with your integrity?

Is it sustainable for your personal economy, for the environment, and future generations?

T = Take a step/steps

Move beyond thinking, talking and deciding about what you “should” or “ought” to do and begin to act. – by trying something. This will involve your 1^st bold step outside of your “comfort zone”. Make it a small enough step so that you will actually take it, and a large enough step that it has the potential to actually contribute to a constructive change. Be prepared to repeat the step, or take related steps, frequently. Simultaneously holding a short term goal (e.g. walking around the block, only fruit for dessert) and a long term goal (e.g. hiking to the top of a mountain, losing 25 lbs.) can be helpful.

I = Integrate

Incorporate the new thoughts and behaviors into your daily life through repetition and practice. Celebrate small gains not just milestones. Remember – you are unlikely to regret that which you didn’t eat (e.g. passing the bread basket or skipping dessert) or the exercise you did do (e.g. the morning workout or the after dinner walk), but you may regret what you did eat or what you didn’t do.

O = Observe

Observe the results and then determine your next steps. Check in with yourself frequently by asking your self-assessment questions. While initially your motivation may come from “inspiration”, that same inspiration is diluted by the “perspiration” that results from the real work and commitment involved in the process of changing. Ultimately, the sustainability of your plan will come from the on-going results that you achieve. Depending on what you observe of your progress, be prepared to modify your plan and make course corrections (e.g. doing more, less, or trying something else). Keep a record of your results/progress.

N = Negotiate

Maintain ongoing negotiations with yourself and those closely involved with recommending, guiding and supporting your health creation. Obstacles will appear, detours and course corrections will be necessary. The need for advice, patience, flexibility, trust, faith, courage, and a sense of humor will stimulate your character development and in so doing enhance your potential for success.

Through self-study you can come to know yourself more deeply. Self-knowledge strengthens character, fosters the expression of authenticity, and the alignment of meaning, purpose and actions. From there come contentment, fulfillment, and true health and well-being.

If you are looking for the greatest treasure, don’t look outside. Look within. Seek that. –

–Rumi