Some years ago, I succeeded at something that was very hard for me. I did it by unwittingly using the ‘overwhelming force’ technique.
I was so determined to succeed at this thing that I thought about it from many aspects. I prepared for it quite assiduously. I went to the library and learned about it. I committed to taking a whole load of vitamins that my reading had led me to believe would help. I wrote my reasons and my feelings of determination in my diary. I honoured myself and my decision by taking the challenge seriously.
I committed. Really, I probably overcommitted. But when the allocated day came around, I was instantly successful and my decision to do this thing stood firm. It was a big thing for me.
Looking back, it’s still a big thing. Bad habits can be very difficult to stamp out. Every time you try but don’t overcome the habit, the gloom of past failure can become a cloud hanging over the subject and make you less keen to undertake a future attempt.
Meeting your challenge – whatever it is – with overwhelming force means you have to be unstintingly generous with your personal resources. It requires passion, a desire to truly do something about your problem. You have to throw a heap of thought and energy into it. You need to acquire knowledge, to work on your mental fortitude and finally, to take action. And you must have a plan for dealing with any trigger moments that could otherwise derail your decision.
I didn’t talk about it to others. Nowadays people talk about accountability and use social media to trumpet their decisions and publicly journal their journey. For me, talking would have weakened my resolve. I had to keep it inside where I could nurture and strengthen it. I had to guard my thoughts so they could be channelled into actions that would work for me.
Plus, I was only trying to change one thing. It was a biggie, but it was only one. I think that’s a salutory lesson. Decide on the single most important thing, and exercise all your passion, time, thought and action into making it happen.