Good morning,
Recently I was teaching a Zoom class alongside my friend Brad Yates. One of the key concepts we taught in the session was around the idea that “thoughts precede reactions”.
This is not only true for the actions we take, but it is also for the emotions we feel.
It often seems like our emotional reaction comes after or in response to what is happening around us. But in reality, there is always a thought that comes first. It can happen in a split second so we don’t hear or register the thought, but it is there nonetheless.
Much of the work I do with my clients (as well as the work I do on my own issues) centers on figuring out those fleeting thoughts on the edge of our awareness. When we can hear a thought, we can challenge it to see if it is true and evaluating these thoughts offers us an insight into the issues we need to focus on
in our tapping work.
By tapping our real aim is to change the thoughts triggering the emotions that bring us discomfort. In that way we can release the emotions in the moment AND prevent them from coming up in similar situations in the future.
This week I have two resources for you that will help you to unpack the thoughts you are having before your emotional reactions.
The first is about how we think about ourselves. We often hold ourselves to impossibly high standards that cause us to beat ourselves up emotionally, believing that we aren’t good enough or capable enough.
When we are able to recognize a more realistic standard by which to judge ourselves, we are able to create change, feel better, and take more consistent action.
You can read about how to do exactly that (including a printable tapping script) here: https://tappingqanda.com/myth-of-excellence
Second, I have a tap-along audio and instructions for how to look at our emotional response to others and what it says about us and what we are thinking.
This might be the single most personal and vulnerable tap-along audio that I have ever created.
You can listen and tap along here: http://tappingqanda.com/415
There is also a printable script to accompany the audio.
I would love to hear your feedback on these resources and how you understand the thoughts that inform your actions and emotions.
Blessings,
Gene
