PREVENTING EGO BACKLASH AND HOW TO GET BACK ON THE HORSE

When we decide we're going to focus on our health and make changes for large transformations, it is very easy to fall into the trap of more is better. More intensity, more clinicians, more advice, more inputs.

But if we're not careful, this can backfire.

First, with multiple changes to inputs, we're not able to interpret our feedback. If we're feeling better, the same or worse, we don't know why. What's working, what's not.

We're back to scattergun approaches and shots in the dark.

But this intensity can also lead to another problem: ego backlash.

If we strive too hard towards our health goals, if we're too strict and doing too many things, parts may start to protest: "I'm not doing this anymore. You can't make me."

These same parts likely would be amenable to you getting better, more freedom, if they feel like they have given consent and are on board with the whole thing. And if they understand what the plan is.

And if they can tell you if things are too much gently.

When we start multiple approaches at once, we dilute our attention and focus. It's like the difference between a regular flash light and a laser with the same amount of wattage. The intensity of the laser can go on for miles. The flash light can maybe help you read a book you’re holding.

In my experience, this can only really be learned by experience. So if this is what's happened here, then it may be like when you make pancakes, it's not uncommon to burn the first one.

This is not to say that it's ill-advised to see multiple practitioners. We just want to be mindful that if we try to make too many changes at once, it can backfire.

The program is designed in a particular sequence with a combination of Quick Wins and Deep Dives. The Quick Wins, the basic inputs for each stage, are the 20% of effort that can get you 80% of your result. They don't require you to have good energy or massive amounts of discipline.

They do require a clear decision to move forward. And the main thing that interrupts this is self-sabotage (parts that don't want to move forward). Here, we're seeing a particular version of this, which may in part be tied to doing too many things at once.

Sometimes you can find out if this is the case through self-inquiry.

What each person can tolerate, the bandwidth each person has, is different. This may simply be feedback from your system that what you were doing was too much.

A renewed commitment and repair of trust with fed up parts will likely be helpful here, while you navigate to see what level of change your body and mind can manage sustainably at once. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Start off simple with fewer inputs and practices. You can always add to it as your bandwidth increases.