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Adjustment and Self-Direction
Adjustment means harmony within the self and between the self and the environment. Self-direction is the set of skills to make changes in oneself to achieve adjustment. The skills required vary according to the nature of the adjustment. Neither environment nor person alone are likely to explain behavior. Willpower is a poor explanation and poor tool. It is ancient wisdom to avoid temptation. Make a choice when you are likely to choose correctly, then be clever to make sure that the choice is implemented.
The Skills of Self-Direction and the Purpose of This Book
Changing your behavior is a skill that needs practice. When normal self-control fails, then you need to make a continued effort to change behavior (self-modification). The process: acquire knowledge, practice, achieve automatization.
Actions are Embedded in a Context
ABC: Antecedent (cue or stimulus) leads to Behavior, the Consequence of which affect whether the Behavior is repeated.
The Process of Self-Modification
1. Select a goal (target behaviors to be changed) and develop a commitment to change to achieve it.
2. Observe (and record) the target behaviors (using ABC model)
3. Work out a plan for change (Usually multiple steps are required.)
Add elements [new Antecedent (so new Bs and Cs), new Behavior (so new Cs), new Consequence (so new Bs)] and/or
Subtract elements [block old As, substitute new B for old B, dump old Cs]
4. Readjust plan as you learn more (Highly likely to be necessary)
5. Take steps to maintain gains.
Does Self-Modification Work ?
Lots of people make this kind of change involving many kinds of behaviors. Statistics show that the methods work. If people fail, it is usually because they don't use the (multiple) methods. The keys to success: use the techniques, use as many as you can, use them long enough to have an effect.
Dennis C. During
"To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt." - Elizabeth Cady Stanton, American women's rights advocate (1815-1902)
"What is not surrounded by uncertainty cannot be the truth." - Richard P. Feynman, Nobelist, physicist, raconteur, bongo player, safe-cracker
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