As a big sister (read: oldest), I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard the phrase: "You're not the boss of me!" - I've even been known to say it a time or two myself.
Duuuhh.. (says you in the spirit of pesky, snarky, younger siblings the wide world over). Who hasn't?
Well, here's what I was thinking...
If you're not the boss of me the implication is that I am the boss of me. Which got me thinking about bosses and what kind of boss I should be to Me.
Bosses are leaders. They are responsible for keeping things running smoothly and seamlessly. Leaders must understand and effectively negotiate the fine line of doing what is necessary and doing what is popular.
Therefore, the best leaders are negotiators.
Still with me....?
As the leader of Me, I realize that I need to exercise, but I negotiate ways to keep myself interested. I offer incentives and perks. I understand that if I try to use sheer force to get myself to exercise, especially when I'm too sore or tired, I may end up disgruntled and soon rebel all together.
As the leader of Me, I understand that I must make healthy food choices, but a wise negotiator also realizes that there has to be some give and take, in order to remain in control. The indulgences needn't be obscenely grotesque, but fair and timely. Furthermore, I realize, under a strict, uptight dictator, offering only bland tastes, no leniency and constant, severe monitoring, that the risk of revolt is not only increased, but nearly certain.
By the same token, if the leader of Me turns out to be unmotivated and undisciplined with one finger constantly on the autopilot (aka: self-destruct) button, things go south--supersonic.
*The leader of Me soon finds herself greeted at every life event with the familiar strains of 'Paunch and Circumstance'.
*"From Zero to Nero" becomes the title of her chapter in the annals of history.
*"Drab to Flab" becomes her shocking tell-all cover story in Family Circle of Hell magazine.
Look, the lesson here is to be a good boss to yourself. Negotiate. Compromise. Keep the best your best interests in mind at all times. Be firm, but don't be hard on yourself. Afterall, you don't want to end up hating your boss!
If you don't feel like exercising when you know you should, tell yourself to just give it 5 minutes. If, at the end of 5 minutes, you find you still don't want to exercise then maybe you should take the day off.
If you are having a Big Mac attack, figure out what it is about the Big Mac that you are craving (thousand island dressing, beef-ish meat etc) and try creating a healthy equivalent. If that doesn't work then maybe you need to head on over to Mickey D's. Once there, try cutting it in half and see if eating half will satisfy. If not, eat the whole damn thing! (Once in awhile, anyway.)
If you are having trouble monitoring youself, set up a security system in the form of food journaling. It doesn't have to be Weight Watchers or anything specific, but at least make yourself accountable. If you bite it, write it.
Think about the bosses/leaders/teachers you've loved the most in your life. What about their style made them effective? Loved? Revered?
Emulate them.
Be a good boss of You. (...cuz you're not the boss of Me!)
1 comment:
I'm not a very good boss and often find that I dislike my boss and do the opposite of what my boss says, but you're right! I am the boss of Me. I should at least like Me. :)
Lately, the exercise thing has been good. I often tell myself to just walk 1 mile, maybe jog it, and if I don't feel like doing anymore, I won't. More often than not though, I find that I do end up doing more. It's the eating healthy part that screws me. I need to learn how to be a better boss in regards to that. Thanks for that, I needed a shake back into reality!
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