Читать книгу Hope’s Daughters - R. Wayne Willis - Страница 10

Most of us have some sound ideas on how we should improve our lives. What we may lack is the courage to take that first step and then the will to follow through.

Money is a great motivator. Heart follows treasure, as in: “Your heart will always be where your treasure is.”2 Really want to give up fried food for your coronary arteries’ sake? Promise $25 to family, friends, and work associates if they see you eating any fried food in the next six months. Put the deal in writing, duplicate it, hand it out, post it on your refrigerator, or drop circulars from an airplane.

Many years ago I became aware that I was addicted to caffeine. I raised my right hand and promised my family, my work associates, and my church that if anyone saw me so much as take one sip of coffee over the next six months, I would give that person a $50 bill. I did not slip.

Want to quit saying disparaging things about yourself? Get your family to help you itemize the put-downs that unconsciously pass your lips, such as: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong for me” or “Just my luck.” Then the deal is to drop $5 in a jar, all proceeds going for a good cause like Habitat for Humanity every time your family catches you downing yourself.

I know one recently-bereaved wife who hated identifying herself as a widow. Her grief counselor advised her never to use the word again but to say instead: “My husband died two years ago.” The counselor made her (half in jest) promise to give him $10 every time she slipped and used the dreaded “w” word.

Really want to change? Words are too easy. Few things motivate like putting money where your mouth is.