Do you have a phrase that seems to pop into your mind unbidden, like a sort of mental tic?
I do:
“I’m tired.”
Now, I have a toddler, so I actually am tired quite a lot of the time. But not nearly as often as this phrase runs through my head.
It’s like an internal sigh, when I’ve gotten plenty of rest but my energy is low or my task list seems extra long. Sometimes, I hear myself say it and I don’t even know why.
It’s a negative habit that impacts my perspective and I need to break it.
So here’s what I’m trying:
When I hear myself think “I’m tired“, I quickly go and chug a glass of water.
The action takes me out of my head and refocuses me elsewhere, so I don’t start to dwell on the negative thought. And, since tiredness can be a symptom of mild dehydration, drinking water helps improve how my body feels overall.
Mind and body taken care of? Seems like a win-win.
Let me know what you think.
(Photo by Steve Johnson via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)
The Management Maven 
This is a great tactic!
I say that (and feel that) all the time too! So going to try this 🙂
I’m going to give this a shot next time!
How’s it going?
I know I use the same phrase. It’s not that I’m tired exactly, it’s more accurate to say “I’m too tired for this”. Because sub in something more enticing and I can just about muster the energy.
(Being not-tired isn’t something I’ve experienced for a while.)
It’s amazing how much better I feel when I’m well-hydrated, and, like the phrase “what gets measured, gets managed”, just paying attention to the way I talk to myself has made a difference. And, Bronwyn, you’re so right…how “tired” I am is relative to how much I enjoy the task at hand. 😉
This is a fantastic idea, and a great insight.