A Behavioral Log is a list of all our behaviors in all areas, aspects, or categories of our life. A reminder from our CBT Certificate Course, of how we operationalized “behavior,” may be easier for you to make your behavioral log as complete as possible, which is the pre-requisite for a Behavioral Appraisal.
As a reminder, there is a difference between a behavior and an action. In a nutshell, action is what we do, while behavior is how we do what we do, how we act, and how we conduct ourselves. When we are willing to pay attention to how we relate to ourselves, others, the world, and to every single aspect of our lives, we come alive, we live consciously, and live free. This all starts with having a Behavioral Log and Appraisal.
What does that mean?
It means that instead of doing things unconsciously, immaturely, or irresponsibly, we are doing things because we choose to, because we want to, and not because this is how we’ve always done things and don’t know any different.
When we live consciously and free, we are empowered and liberated. And, that helps us deal with:
Shame: Because I am the one choosing to do what I am doing. I am the one doing it, and I am not doing it without knowing. I know I am doing it. So there is nothing to be ashamed about. Otherwise, I would not be doing it
-
Embarrassment: I know that I am doing what I am doing. I am doing it with intention, which means I can choose something else should I want to. So, there is nothing to be embarrassed about.
-
Guilt: I am choosing with freedom. If I behave in a way that brings guilt, then I can decide whether this is something I want to continue to do or whether this is something I want to do differently
-
Low self-esteem: I know that I am doing what I am doing. This means I am the one doing it. It also means that I am not what I am doing. This means I can always change it if and when I want to.
This is a radical way to look at behaviors and what it takes to make any behavioral changes or behavioral modifications.
What does that mean?
-
It means we cannot make a change in our behaviors if we are not at peace with that behavior that we want to change. If there is shame, embarrassment, guilt, or low self-esteem, associated with a behavior, we are not being objective or responsible. The behavior, as a result, has power over us, and we feel helpless to it.
-
It also means we cannot change a behavior until we really start noticing it. When we notice our behavior and use a behavior log, we can then analyze, appraise, quantify, and qualify our behaviors. This is what we call a behavioral appraisal.
On Monday, November 2, 2020, 7-9pm EST, our Behavioral Certificate Course session will be on How to Make Unhelpful Habits Impossible. We will be taking a deeper dive into Behavioral Logs and Behavioral Appraisal.
In case you have yet to notice, the SWEET Institute is on a mission to help cease suffering in the world. There is too much suffering amidst such an advanced civilization, with so highly developed technologies, and with so much knowledge about what we can do as a race.
We have not been living on par with all these advances in the world because we don’t do what we know we need to or can do. SWEET’s Behavioral Certificate Course is one of the most powerful steps we are taking to help mitigate suffering in the world. But, it starts with us. It begins with you.
Are you accepting the call?
If so, please join us on Monday.
We will see you then,
Karen and Mardoche