How to Dismiss the Fun Police - By: Linda Greven

More About Fun Police!

I got to thinking a bit more about Fun Police -- and something interesting happened.

When I open that door, it's like opening the flood gates of a dam. Seriously!

There are so many thoughts about fun, and about Fun Police in my mind, I have to rein it all in.

I recently wrote about the fun police called "Not Fast Enough". The response to that article has been overwhelming. I guess lots of people struggle with that one. And you don't have to look very far to find those people. Just try sitting in a traffic jam, or standing in line at the Post Office for a few minutes. You'll recognize them by their toe-tapping, sighing, and frantic looks of frustration.

For those of you who don't know about Fun Police, these are the voices in your head that stop you from experiencing all the joy that life can bring. They torment you, and make you miserable. Not Fast Enough is just one of those.

But there are so many other Fun Police; it's not fair to talk about one and not the others.

So let me introduce you to one of my favorites -- and it's one many of my coaching clients struggle with. It's called "Who do you think you are?"

This one shows up in your choices to do for someone else instead of yourself. This one is the biggest cause of guilt that I know.

Whenever you think about having that second slice of cake, or another glass of wine; or when you ask everyone to go away and leave you alone; or when you hope that someone will just come and whisk the kids away so you can have a couple of hours to yourself. Behind all the guilt is the notion that you really have your nerve taking this time for yourself instead of doing what 'they' want!

But it shows up other places as well.

Like when you think you'd like to get a new car -- yours has pretty much run out of steam, the transmission has been fixed 3 times already and still jerks when it changes gears, the key gets stuck in the ignition and sometimes the wheels jam, and it's really hard on gas. But you don't even mention it to your husband because you're sure he will have a fit!

Sure you know money is tight, and you are trying to get out of debt right now, but honestly, "Who do you think you are" asking for a new car?

Your husband may not even say those words but you won't likely ever know that, because you are afraid to ask. Instead, you just grumble to yourself every time the key gets stuck or the transmission lurches you forward. And you find yourself not taking care of the car, not cleaning it regularly, allowing the kids to throw their garbage on the floor. That's not fun!

And then you feel guilty and ashamed.

Because when you have to give someone a lift home, they can see what a mess your car is. And even though you suspect other people's cars look the same, you feel like a schmuck.

How fun is that?

I knew a lady once who wouldn't go get the brakes fixed on her car because her husband had convinced her she couldn't make those kind of decisions without his input. Only she had been driving an unsafe vehicle for months and had convinced herself that he wouldn't take the car in for repair, they couldn't afford it, etc.

That's when I stepped in. I coached her around the notion of making good decisions based on what she really needed -- and not based on some notion of "Who do you think you are?"

There are loads of other Fun Police - those crazy notions that keep you from being all you can be, having all you can have, doing all you can do. I'm on a mission to show them up for what they are - just crazy mixed-up notions. Watch for other articles on this topic.

Till next time, Linda

About the Author

Linda has been coaching women and care-givers for over 5 years. Many of her clients have trouble doing for themselves, but are exhausted from doing for others. She helps them re-prioritize fun, play and joy in their lives. They tell her they enjoy everything more, they sleep better and feel more alive. You can book a free sample coaching session with Linda by visiting http://www.fun-wey.com/sample.html

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Linda-Greven/51348

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