Catalyst For Change
Photo by Britt Gaiser on Unsplash.
Every Thursday, I share one action, habit, or project you may want to undertake in order to improve your health, happiness, and sense of well-being.
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PROJECT OF THE WEEK
There's a lot of buzz right now around gentle parenting.
Like most new parenting philosophies, there are valuable lessons to be learned, but some aspects may not stand the test of time.
One thing’s for sure—gentle parenting has inspired a lot of funny memes!
One key takeaway from this approach is the idea that when kids (or humans, for that matter) struggle, it often means they lack a specific skill that needs to be taught.
You guessed it! More often than not, that missing skill is an executive functioning skill.
Another important concept is that lessons can't be effectively taught when kids (or adults) are dysregulated. Our brains cannot be in both "thinking mode" and "fight, flight, or freeze" mode at the same time.
As a coach, my entire focus is on skill-building and empowering clients to grow and improve.
BUT—growth requires change.
And as we all know too well, change is hard. Really, really hard.
Most of us don’t embrace change until we have a compelling reason to do so.
This brings me to the topic of consequences—particularly natural consequences.
Getting Started
It’s often said that consequences don’t teach lessons. And that’s true, to an extent.
However, in my experience, consequences provide the motivation to make changes.
Progress happens when clients have both a reason to change and the support to develop the skills necessary to succeed.
I often hear people say they want their child, partner, or friend to change. They describe how they offer emotional support and resources—yet they remain frustrated when nothing improves.
At the same time, they continue to "save" their loved one from the natural consequences of their actions.
The hardest part of supporting someone through change is recognizing that, over time, natural consequences tend to escalate. What might have been a small, manageable catalyst for change early on can grow into a life-altering consequence if left unchecked.
So, ask yourself: Is the help you’re providing truly helpful in the long run? And don’t underestimate the power of natural consequences.
Ready to Get Started?
If you feel excited about implementing this strategy and want some additional accountability and support to get started, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak was designed for you!
A Note from Happy Spaces
The goal is to add value to your life. If you think this project will add value:
Estimate how long you think it will take. I would recommend doubling the time you estimate.
Look at your calendar over the next week and pick a date and time to get started.
Make an appointment on your calendar for the estimated time.
If you estimate that completing this project will take longer than one hour, I recommend doing it over multiple days. This will support you in getting started!
Prior to starting this project, take a few minutes to make a step-by-step list of EVERY action you need to take to complete this project.
It's not all or nothing. You can choose to implement only the parts of this project that add value to your life.
An Accountability Partner can be a great support in following through on your goals and commitments.
We understand how challenging it can be to implement new habits and systems. For additional support please go to HappySpacesBySarah.com.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
Growing up as the oldest of nine siblings in Upstate New York, I learned to use organization to create sanity among the chaos. Today, I work together with individuals, families, and small businesses to create habits, systems, and spaces that support their needs, goals, and dreams. Clients often refer to our work together as "life-changing" and "better than decades of therapy". What I love most about my work is the lasting impact it has on real people's lives. Nothing makes me happier than hearing the many success stories of clients I have worked with.