What Comes to Mind When You Hear the Word “Accomplishment?”
This is part 2 of a 4-part series on the G. L. A. D mindfulness technique described in David Altman’s book, The Mindfulness Toolbox. Let’s examine “A” for accomplishment. Part 1 described finding daily delight and mindfully repeating them as part of a improving well being.
Webster dictionary defines accomplishment as ” something done or achieved successfully, or a special skill or ability gained by practice or training.”
A well-paying job? Getting married? Financial wealth? Owning your own business? Admission to a prestigious college/professional school? Successful sports career? The list could go on. Do you often think of something grand and huge?
Absolutely awesome to set goals and accomplish grand goals. Do these goals have personal meaning that help sustain your well-being and build relationships? Although these grand accomplishments might add to personal comfort and recognition they do not necessarily increase joy and life satisfaction. So what’s recommended?
Why Bother About Accomplishments?
A research on positive psychology interventions found that accomplishments that have personal meaning (among other actions and strategies) contributed to increased happiness and well-being (Gander, F., Proyer, R. T., and Ruch, W (2016).
Accomplishment in G.L.A.D. mindfulness technique describes paying attention, being mindful of small goals/tasks repeated daily as part of your self care and/or care of others. With accomplishments there is an increased sense of confidence and well-being.
You build up your emotional muscle of accomplishments thats more likely to last. Flex it from time to time when you need to remember You can recall and repeat your accomplishments literally or by visualization.
What Accomplishments?
Small acts count the most with this technique.
- Stepping out of the house, when anxiety is telling you to stay put.
- Getting out of bed when you are feeling so sad and hopeless.
- Getting dressed and going to work daily when all you want to do is sleep because you feel so sad.
- Going for that walk, run, dance class etc when you would rather watch reruns of Law and Order.
- Taking the first step to check out that school website because you want to go back to school.
Keep track of your accomplishments.
- Get an accomplishment buddy. If daily is too challenging. how about a few times weekly or even weekly?
- Find small, doable accomplishments each time.
- Put these on your phone. However you wish is okay.
- What are you struggling with?
- What’s preventing you from the small accomplishments?
Do share
Re: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4873493/
Jumoke Omojola is a Mental Health Therapist in Omaha, Nebraska where she assists adults create healthier, happier lives and nurturing relationships. She serves Bellevue, Ralston, LaVista and other surrounding Omaha areas.
Contact Jumoke for a free 15 minute consultation at 4029816624 or jmomojola@gmail.com
Small accomplishments need not be a challenge.
Feel free to share this blog with friends.