Diabetes Health Talk

[Intro] [Habit One] [Habit Two] [Habit Three] [Habit 4] [Habit 5] [Habit 6] [Habit 7] [Conclusion]

See, hasn’t this been easy so far? (Hey! Stop throwing things… I see you there…) One habit down, six to go.

Habit number two is Begin with the End in Mind.

Many successful people will tell you that the secret to their wealth/success/happiness is the dream. They saw the dream, they visualized exactly what they wanted, and then they took the steps to get there. As someone who is pragmatic and a realist, I understand how hard it can be to see anything beyond today, and what we need to do the next minute, let alone for-seeing a future filled with the things we desire - including good health. I’m not much for the sit down and visualize and throw it out there in the universe and see what comes back, ala The Secret that’s been so popular lately. It’s just not me.

But it should be. According to the booklet “Everything you do in life is created twice: first in the mind, then in reality.” This is a big step - the think it, dream it, be it type of mentality. It seems overwhelming to even begin - it’s just too much. The secret to this step is, then, to take babysteps.

Everything in life can be accomplished in babysteps. They may be small, but they still move your forward! Pick one goal, one thing that you want to work on that is achievable in your mind. Pick one of the behaviors that you want to foster, and break down the “Be active!” to something achievable in your mind. Try “I will take a 15 minute walk every day.” If that’s too much, start smaller. “I’ll walk the dog around the block today.” Make a little change in the way you eat - change from whole milk to 2%, as a step on your way to skim.

As you achieve each of these steps consistently, you’ll work up to making bigger, broader statements, bigger dreams, and start to see that future more brightly - which will help you keep taking those steps, one at a time. Remember that this is a process, a journey - not a quick-fix cure. Give yourself permission to falter, and start anew.

You know what you want - health, despite diabetes. So take that first babystep to getting there today!