How to Take The Work into Action

Doing The Work Can Change How You See Things

And most of the time, just seeing things differently is enough to change your actions. This is my favorite thing about The Work–that it’s practical.

When I come to The Work, I’ve already been doing things the painful way for a while. Through inquiry, I often discover another way to do them, and my behavior shifts spontaneously. I don’t have to try.

Just seeing things differently is usually all it takes.

But Sometimes Behavior Shifts Slowly

For example, I once was doing a lot of work on criticism. I didn’t like criticism and would get angered every time I was criticized. This was a well worn groove for me.

So even though I worked through one Judge-Your-Neighbor Worksheet thoroughly about being criticized, I still hadn’t mastered it. When I got criticized the next time, I still had an anger reaction. But there was a difference: I was aware of alternate options this time.

I continued to do more work on it, and the next time I was criticized, I had even more awareness–even though I still got triggered into anger.

It was only after continuing to get triggered by criticism, and continuing to do The Work on it half a dozen times, that I finally had enough awareness to stay sane in the moment. When it happened, it felt like a huge victory for me.

And Now the Process Continues

I’m much less likely to get triggered by criticism. But sometimes I still fall for it. Whenever I do, I write a new worksheet and question my thoughts again.

It just keeps getting subtler and subtler. And my ability to handle criticism keeps getting stronger and stronger.

Do You Have a Story To Tell?

If you’ve ever experienced a gradual increase of awareness in action through doing The Work on a particular issue, I’d love to hear your process. Leave your comment below.

Have a great week,
Todd

“The turnarounds bring powerful new awareness. Self-realization is not complete until it lives as action. Live the turnarounds.” — Byron Katie, Loving What Is.

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