I recently heard a conversation between Michael Balchan (Head Coach at Heroic) and Michelle Segar, a motivation and behavioral sustainability scientist. Sheâs the author of No Sweat, which explores the science of building sustainable exercise routines, and The Joy Choice.
In the conversation, she defined âThe Joy Choiceâ this way:
âThe perfect imperfect option that reflects our sense of dientity and our valuesâŠitâs not perfectâŠwe come at this with grace. It letâs us stand in sync with our goals and the other things we care most aboutâŠâ - Michelle Segar
She contrasts âThe Joy Choiceâ with the traditional way our culture looks at behavior change; where intense self-control, rigid rules, and tight boundaries take precedence.
Power Acronym 59: P.O.P.
Michelleâs P.O.P. framework is a step-by-step instruction when confronted with the test while youâre changing your behavior. Letâs take a look:
Pause
When we resolve in our hearts and minds to start or stop doing something that we know would lead to our improvement, we will be tested. Itâs as if life hears our thoughts, reads our journal, and sets us up with a scenario to see what weâll do.
Itâs important to Pause in those moments and take a quick inventory. Acknowledge that THIS is the time to teach your brain and body the new behavior. It will feel uncomfortable. But you have options.
Open your Options and Play
You may know exactly what you need to do. Thatâs good! Do that.
Other times things out of our control will get in the way.
Letâs say you decided to start walking around your neighborhood before getting ready for bed. Youâve upheld this commitment for 5 days and on the 6th day it starts to rain as you grab your shoes.
You pause and open up your options.
Skip it. You deserve a break, after all!
Walk in the rain. Gritty but extremely uncomfortable and you may get sick
Drive to the mall and walk.
I love this because it encourages a creative approach to our lives. As tempting as a break might be, thereâs still an option to get the steps in, keep your streak alive, and become more active.
This is just one example!
Pick the Joy Choice
The Joy Choice isnât about giving us well-reasoned excuses to take it easy on ourselves. Itâs an alternative perspective on how we decide to change our lives.
This idea reminds me of this quote:
âItâs ok to suck, not to skipâ.
Too much rigidity can result in negative impacts on other aspects of life.
Donât throw the baby out with the bathwater. Bend, donât break.
P.O.P. it!
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