Show loss who’s the boss

Baby Step 29 to Fall into Better Habits

Disclaimer: When I use the word “loss” I am not referring to the loss of a loved one. Instead, today I am focusing on the loss of something we once had or something familiar to us.

Countless times, we have experienced loss:

- The loss of a job

- The loss of an opportunity

- The loss of a relationship

- The loss of a prized possession

- The loss of money

We’ve all been there. So, what happened? We felt sad, we felt disappointed, we felt outraged. Fill in the blank. Needless to say, our reaction was anything but joyful.

What if I told you that could all change right now? What if I told you that loss could become something you look forward to instead of dread?

Here’s my mindset on loss (#love it when it rhymes):

When you let it go, then you get to go.

(#let it go) image courtesy of Unsplash

Meaning this:

Releasing whatever no longer serves you puts YOU in control of your thoughts. YOU decide what’s holding you back. YOU decide to release it. YOU then receive the benefits that come with that decision.

When YOU willingly make the choice, you are no longer at the mercy of chance.

Let’s consider a scenario:

LOSS: An awesome Mom pre-purchases two tickets for ice skating at Rockefeller Center (approximate cost: $72 billion, give or take). Her wonderful son (for whom she purchased said tickets) feels ill the night of the reservation and can’t make it.

Lost: money + our bucket list experience

GAIN: The Mom overhears a couple asking about tickets only to be told they've been sold out for months. The Mom approaches the couple and offers her tickets to them. The husband takes out his wallet. The Mom explains: “I don’t want any money for the tickets. I just want someone to enjoy them since my son and I couldn’t go. Consider it a Christmas gift.” The wife hugs the Mom and says: “We’re on our honeymoon and this was our dream but we didn’t know we had to make reservations in advance. You giving us these tickets is a Christmas miracle!” The Mom and the wife share a happy cry.

Gained: joy + bringing their bucket list experience to life

So you see, something wonderful can come from something crappy.

With that bit of wisdom, today’s Baby Step is moving us one inch closer to forming a new habit (GAIN) by releasing an old, familiar one (LOSS).

Just for this week, give up one thing you would consider to be a “loss” to you. Hold on…don’t go gung ho and stop carrying your cell phone or sell your car so you can bike 16 miles to work to get more exercise (unless, of course, that’s what you want to do).

Give up something that’s been a part of your life for a long time yet serves no real purpose for you. It’s not exactly harmful yet it's not helpful either. It’s become part of the background of your life without you even realizing it.

Need a little inspiration? What’s my pick?

My “loss” is a nearly nightly habit of watching a few episodes of a show I like which I’ve convinced myself is a good way to relax (don’t even get me started on how we are masters at convincing ourselves). Instead, I’m now committed to using that time to organize my files which may not seem like much fun in the moment but will DEFINITELY keep me relaxed later rather than stressing over where to find the information when I need it. To make it more enjoyable, I’m listening to a YT video on a topic I’d like to learn more about but never seem to have the time to do it. (#win-win-win)

At the end of the week, be sure to check in with your progress. Did you miss it? Because if you can let it go for a week, then you can replace it permanently with a significantly better habit.

No matter how hard change may sometimes be, remember these two facts:

1. The moment you make a choice with confidence and purpose is the moment you become unstoppable.

2. When you remind your brain who’s BOSS then you’ll no longer see voluntary sacrifice as a LOSS.

(#Tony & Angela) image courtesy of Google

Next, go check your inbox for today's affirmation. Then watch the video HERE.

PS We began this series in September of 2023. You haven’t missed out! Find the tips and techniques used in this series, plus bonus material, in a downloadable format where you can track your progress. Find out more about it HERE.