Step Outside Of The Recipe Box

How many ways can you cook an egg? 

Depending on the source, there are 9 to 143 ways to cook an egg. That’s not including all of the recipes that use eggs as an ingredient. 

If you are like me, you have favorite recipes that you like so much you don’t feel inclined to stray.   Even though judging by my collection of cookbooks, one would think I am a culinary chef.  

No…  my small recipe box, full of tattered and stained cards is my go-to.  Only on occasion do I consult the cookbook library, and even then, my favorite few.  After all, why change a good thing, right?

But…  I never knew poached eggs could be so good until I tried Eggs Benedict….

Then I liked poached eggs even better.

Applying this to life, one would start to wonder about all the recipes of life that we haven’t tried – the possibilities out there just waiting for us to make a choice.   

Or, is there such a thing as being so completely happy and satisfied with your life, your financial situation, your health, your personal routine that you have no desire to “step out of the recipe box?” 

Ask yourself, “Is there one thing I could do that would make my life better?”

Most people will answer, “Yes!” With an exclamation point. 

Some may have a clear idea of what this thing is, but if not, it may require “thinking outside of the recipe box” to see the possibilities.  

When is the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone to try something new or different?

I know….  Change can be scary.

What if I don’t like it? 

What if I’m not good at it, or worse yet, what if I fail?

What will other people think? 

Who do I think I am anyway?

This negative self-talk is simply FEAR- False Evidence Appearing Real, as Zig Ziglar would say. The best way to overcome fear is to just do it anyway.  You have everything to gain. 

Learning something new can be uncomfortable, but, you don’t know what you don’t know. 

DO IT ANYWAY!

Anything you want to be good at is worth doing poorly until you learn to do it well.

KEEP DOING IT!

FAILURE IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE — SUCCESS IN DISGUISE.

The Perfection Affliction can be self-abuse if you let it stop you from even trying. 

CHOOSE SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Motivation is not just a cause of action, it’s a result of action.  It’s sometimes difficult to start exercising. But once you start, and the endorphins start flowing, you are even more motivated to keep going. 

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last.  Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” 

Zig Ziglar

Pain is a great motivator for improvement.  I’m not talking just about physical pain, but also, mental and emotional pain. When you experience enough pain, you will make a change.

The good news is, you don’t have to wait for pain to motivate you to choose something different. You can avoid, or at least reduce these types of pain by choosing new, good habits now.   And good habits are simply good choices made over and over.

There are a lot of good “recipes” for success and happiness.  Why not replace an old recipe that’s not taking you where you want to be with a new recipe?

Replace a bad habit with a good habit and do it consistently for 30 days.  After it becomes a habit, pick another and do it consistently for 30 days.

Very soon, your locus of control will improve, and you will be amazed at the good things you experience simply because you chose a new recipe. 

BETTER YET… CREATE YOUR OWN RECIPE…. ONE THAT WILL TAKE YOU CLOSER TO GOALS.

Remember, The sun is always shining on the other side of the clouds.  Don’t let the clouds in life make you believe there is no sun.

Create a happy day!