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Just Plan on It

Stress does weird things to us. Even if we don’t feel “stressed out,” our bodies manifest tension, and it will find a way to get out (and will try to take your credit card with it). But I think that most of you would agree with me that if we had a heads up before a specific stressful event were to occur that we could probably minimize the effects that it could have on us. Why? Because we would have time to formulate a plan of how we would respond to said stressful event.

So, what constitutes a potential stressful situation? Anything that might increase the risk of you acting in opposition to your plan. Kingsford describes “a high-risk situation can be any occasion that has the ability to cause you to behave in ways that are not in line with your…goals.” She also says, “The way to outsmart a high-risk situation is to face it with your mental machinery fully loaded.”

How do you do that? Well, you will need to have a plan ready to implement when the situation arises. I suggest you start by asking yourself three questions that Kingsford suggests her clients ask themselves: “What is your history in dealing with this situation” (especially the patterns)? “What were the triggers that caused you to turn to spending money for comfort?” and “How can you do something different next time so you won’t stray” from your path? You’re going to have to get good at saying “NO” to yourself and others AHEAD of time (try practicing in front a mirror–seriously). 

Some of life’s stressful moments can be anticipated, but there are many that cannot be. Perhaps the most predictable thing that can be said about both types is that they WILL happen–that you can bet on.

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