Are you experimental?
#costofalcohol
…one who likes to experiment?
As I was considering what to major in, prior to leaving for college, I didn’t get much in the way of good guidance. I was simply asked, “What do you most like doing?”
I liked two things: sports and being outside, mainly hunting or fishing. As a senior in high school that pretty much summed it up for me.
Considering I was approached by MLB scouts since my freshman year, it was pretty clear baseball was in my future. Then a torn ligament and surgery made it easy to decide on college first.
I chose Wildlife as my major. Turns out that was a great choice. Dude, I totally majored in wildlife. I had fun. In lots of ways. Then, after a couple of changes in actual majors I ended up with a degree to teach Biology.
Another good fit. I was experimental to the core, but not scientifically. I tried everything. Most things, several times. I had no fear, and not much decision-making sense.
I learned in my science lab classes, you take your assumptions, control your variables, then test. The idea being to find out if your assumptions are correct, then modify them and retest to be sure.
I encourage clients I’m coaching to be curious. Ask lots of questions, and be experimental. It’s through experiment that we find out what’s really going on, and If our assumptions are correct.
And do our assumptions ever need to be tested. Ever consider that many of your assumptions are drawn from your conclusions about your experiences? And that your beliefs are based on those things? The narrative in your head stemming from those beliefs may not be based on reality at all. Think about that.
While discussing what I do in the realm of habits and addiction, I recently told a friend I’d give him $5000 to give up pizza. He said although he likes pizza, of course he would take it—”Pay me!”. Then I asked, if I offered him $10,000 to agree to never drink alcohol again in any form, would he take it? Being one who imbibes, you can imagine the look on his face. It was not a “Hell yeah!” look.
You may believe you don’t have a problem with or a dependency on something, but the reality may be that if faced with having to do without it, you’d think long and hard before doing so. Even for a minute.
So how experimental are you? Willing to test your assumptions about your drinking? Next week I’ll be doing a podcast interview with my friend, Dave Stuart, Jr. He’s an author, speaker and educator who has a big-time following of teachers across the country whom he helps be more effective, passionate educators. We’ll be challenging them to take part in “Sober-October”, where we all do October without alcohol. An experiment, if you will.
Want to join us? There’s no better way to prove to yourself you don’t have a problem. That alcohol isn’t more significant in your life than you believe it is. Think “Alcohol Experiment”. Maybe it’s time to test your assumptions. Ready?
Cheers,
Tim
PS— I’m offering you the opportunity to do the “30-Day Alcohol Experiment”. You’ll get 30 days of incredible videos (by Annie Grace, This Naked Mind) with support to see you through. And it’s free. Yep, free! Click here to get signed up. If you would rather have coaching during and around the month, let me know. It’s a great way to get the most out of your experiment and have one-on-one discussion weekly. Let’s do a Sober-October!
And start planning what you’ll do with the money saved by not drinking for a month!
Feel free to share.
