As-If Strategy
by Kathy Gates
While listening to the news reports on war on terror,
I often hear the generals or other officers use the
phrase "we're acting as-if".
What they mean, of course, is that they don't always
have concrete, substantial evidence to stand on yet,
but given what they do know, and in order to make
the best use of time now, (instead of possibly missing
an opportunity by waiting), they act "As-If".
I wondered, what if I used this strategy in my daily
life?
Just to experiment, I decided to act "as-if" I had just
received some wonderful news. I stood up from the
couch with my shoulders back, head high. I smiled a
big smile, and began walking around the house with
a little bounce in my step. At first I felt silly, but I
kept doing it. I sang a little, I ruffled the dog, and I
even danced a little.
After a few minutes, I felt like going outside, so I
put on my shoes, and started walking down the street
with the same "as-if" spirit. (I quit the dancing part,
and I'm sure the neighbors were grateful.)
A neighbor noticed me, and said, "Wow, you sure
look like you feel good today - know where I can
get some of that?". It was at that moment that I
realized that actually felt wonderful and excited, plain
old good. I wasn't just acting anymore.
When my husband came home, I decided to act as if I
couldn't have been happier if Brad Pitt had walked in
the back door. It was a great evening.
When I mentioned my experiment to a friend, she
said, "I can't do that - I'm too angry. I'm angry at
Henry. I'm angry at my boss. I'm angry at the
economy. Nope, I can't do that."
"So what if you acted as-if you weren't angry any
more?" I wondered. "How would YOU feel, if you
weren't angry?"
Her first instinct was that others would reap all the
benefits of her not being angry, but she soon realized
that this was for her, not other people. She felt better
not nurturing the anger. Of course she still had to
resolve the problems she had with Henry - it didn't
just magically disappear -- but while working on it,
acting as-if made her a much happier person.
You can do this too. Instead of waiting on a solid
place to stand in your life, you can make the best use
of your time right now by acting "as if".
What if you acted as-if you were able to pay all your
bills and save a little each month? What different
actions would you take than you do now?
What if you acted as-if you had the very best
relationship in the whole world? What would you say
differently, what would you do differently?
If you decided to act as-if you're an organized
person, what would be different about your day?
What would an organized person do in your same
situation?
You are the leader in your life. You are in charge of
what actions you take. Author Joel Barker is quoted
as saying, "A leader is a person you will follow to a
place you wouldn't go by yourself." Decide to follow
yourself by acting "as-if" to a place where you
thought you might never go.
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Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates is the author of
several e-books and e-courses designed to help people
live happier, healthier, easier lives. Sign up for her ezine, "Make It Happen" at
www.reallifecoach.com.