13 Things Mentally Strong People Don\'t Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success pdfdrive com

CREATE A PLAN
During my college internship, I spent some time working in an inpatient drug
and alcohol rehabilitation center. Many of the patients attending the program had
tried to address their substance abuse issues before. By the time they came to our
facility, they were discouraged and fed up with the fact they couldn’t stop
drinking and using drugs. But after a few weeks of intensive treatment, their
attitudes usually shifted. They became hopeful about the future and determined
that this time, they weren’t going to go back to their old ways.
But, before patients could graduate from the program, they needed a clear
discharge plan. This plan was meant to help them keep the same positive outlook
on recovery after they were discharged from the facility. To avoid returning to
their previous habits, they needed to make some serious lifestyle changes.
For most people, that meant they had to find a new social circle. They
couldn’t go back to hanging around their old friends who used drugs or drank
heavily. Some of them had to make job changes too. Developing healthier habits
may mean ending an unhealthy relationship or trading parties for support group
meetings.
Each person participated in developing a written plan that included resources
and strategies to remain sober. The people who were most successful in their
recovery followed their plans. Those who went back to their old lifestyles tended
to relapse because they couldn’t resist making the same mistakes. There were
just too many unhealthy temptations when they returned to their previous
environments. No matter what type of mistakes you’re trying to avoid, the key to
success lies in developing a good plan. Developing a written plan increases the
likelihood that you’ll follow through with it.
Follow these steps to create a written plan that will help you avoid repeating

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your mistakes:
1. Establish behavior that will replace previous behavior. Instead of drinking
alcohol to cope with stress, a person could identify alternative strategies,
such as going for a walk or calling a friend. Decide what healthy behavior
will help you avoid repeating unhealthy behavior.
2. Identify warning signs that you’re headed down the wrong path again. It’s
important to be on the lookout for old behavior patterns that may return.
Perhaps you’ll know your spending habits are getting out of control again
when you begin putting purchases on credit cards.
3. Find a way to hold yourself accountable. It’ll be more difficult to hide your
mistakes or ignore them when you’re being held accountable. Talking to a
trusted friend or relative who is willing to hold you accountable and point
out your blunders can be helpful. You may also be able to increase the
likelihood that you’ll hold yourself accountable by keeping a journal or
using a calendar to chart your progress.