1. Introduction of Hidden Agendas
Despite the best of intentions, mistakes and
slips happen. What should you do? Often, the best thing is to
simply catch yourself and quickly return to your game plan.
You may also need to review and strengthen one or more OnTrack
Skills, as discussed in Track 2 Staying on Track.
If getting off track becomes a repeated and
frustrating experience, the solution may require more than
trying again. Often, you have other priorities or concerns
that are inadvertently grabbing your focus and getting you off
track. Examples include the need to relieve boredom, avoid
feeling deprived, or decrease stress. These issues can be very
compelling, but often operate outside of our mindful
awareness--that’s why they are called "hidden
agendas".
Here is a big part of the problem. Acting
counter to your healthy goals, such as overeating, snacking,
or lying in front of the TV, plays into your hidden agendas.
Such actions can lower tension, increase energy and provide an
alluring distraction. The trick is to know what is pulling you
off track and directly address it, without interfering with
your healthy goals.
Your hidden agendas are very real and deserve
your time, energy, and thoughtful attention. Unfortunately,
they are often quite uncomfortable and it is very tempting to
just quickly get away from them. With time and practice, you
will learn to be more aware of your agenda, stop the impulsive
counterproductive reactions, and respond in a proactive,
helpful manner. As will be illustrated later, there are a
variety of resources to help you directly attend to and
resolve hidden agendas. Read on to learn how to identify and
directly address those agendas that are getting you off track.
