Step 12: More Ways to Reward Your Change
- Give reassuring compliments to remind yourself that you’re becoming successful at changing, which counters the years - maybe decades - of defeatist messages. The intent is to internalize and own a positive self-image, not only to reinforce the behavior.
- Remove a dreaded chore, such as cleaning the bathroom or decluttering a closet, when you’re successful in the small steps you’re taking toward permanent change. Sometimes we only think of giving ourselves a pleasurable consequence, but remember that removing an aversive chore constitutes a powerful reward indeed.
One of the most effective rewards in my life has been not to clean our home; I’ll engage in all sorts of target behaviors to have someone else do that.
In the box below, write a compliment to yourself for becoming better and successful at changing.