Stop, Alter and Go! - OPN Exercise #4

Stop, Alter and Go! - OPN Exercise #4

©Allen Merritt (2015)

This week’s positivity exercise is the final in a series of exercises focused on finding the good in our lives. Let’s call it the ‘Stop, Alter and Go!’ movement.

‘Stop, Alter and Go!’ is kind of a spin off from the old Stop, Drop and Roll campaign which taught children what to do in a fire situation. In this case, we are not dealing with a fire hazard, but we are looking for ways to discover how to change attitudes and mindsets.

In order to follow through with this exercise, we need to be aware and ready to stop for a minute to consider all possibilities. Replace words and actions with positive ones. Consider this a re-training exercise. Retrain yourself to think and behave differently. You are the facilitator.

Here’s the plan of action:

STOP refers to the idea that you are ever-mindful and aware; prepared to pause, consider and be responsive to a situation. Don’t react, jump the conclusions or make fast decisions based on what appears to be happening. Stopping is an opportunity to see the overall objective picture before taking a step forward.

ALTER means taking all sides of a situation into account and deciding how to change, remove and replace an action, a thought, a word or comment to make better and improve the moment. For example, the next time you want to blurt out a curse word in a professional or public setting (which could prove embarrassing) replace the word with something more appropriate and/or humorous such as the following phrases:

Shitake mushrooms!

Fudge apples!

Oh, Bollocks!

Dagnabit!

Dadgummit!

Other thoughts are to think about smiling instead of frowning or gesturing a peace sign instead of the flipping the bird (middle finger); or, when you are about to think the worst start thinking about the best possible outcome. Next time a driver cuts in front of you and/or changes lanes without so much as a turn signal warning try thinking about how lucky you are to be alert enough to avoid a possible accident. When negotiating through a poor customer service experience consider how to get the other party on your side by letting them know you are on their side by using phrases such as, “I know you’re busy. I appreciate your help.” Or “Thank you for all that you’re doing.”

GO is what happens once you have made the conscious decision to change the situation as in the examples mentioned above. Initiate and implement the good vibe.

Of course, there are hundreds of ways to do this and more examples then the few already mentioned. Each circumstance is different and provides a chance to turn it around into a more comfortable situation. I think this is better than starting a confrontation episode or wallowing in misery.

Be prepared for other individuals not to respond in the same manner, but embrace your ability to do your best and be the best you can possibly be in any given moment. Then move on and let go as needed.

You can really re-frame your mindset and starting altering your point of view without much pause once you get into the habit of doing it. Simply stop and consider. Then alter it and move forward. 

STOP,

ALTER,

GO!

Try it out. Have a great week.

Cheers!