12/02/2019
Although I coach individuals and organizations on the power of consistency in performance relative to their processes, we know in the mental health profession that many of the concepts that we promote and teach are fundamentally idealistic. Essentially the idea that a person “should” or “must” be consistent in their performance, despite distractions, is irrational, yet ideal.
My goal was to see if I could intentionally share some fundamental tenants of cognitive behavioral theory(CBT) with others, in small, process-oriented steps. I use CBT in almost every individual session, group therapy session, public speaking engagement, and Mastermind that I facilitate. To stay on track I chose to use my very often underutilized Matt Miller Coaching Facebook page. The “baby step” of my process was to share one “Irrational Idea” every month.
I have intentionally used social media, for one calendar year, to keep me on task. I had a theory, based on my personality, that I would be motivated to avoid public humiliation by sticking to my process. I believed that I would be embarrassed if I started off with a lot of energy and excitement, only to forget about this personal experiment mid-year. So I used the fear of personal and professional ridicule to keep me on the path.
The content of these CBT tenants where derived from Dr. Albert Ellis’s “15 Irrational Ideas.” As a bonus, I have chosen, as a gift to myself( and maybe others) to wait till this time of year to share the final four “Irrational Ideas.”
Irrational Ideas #12,13,14,15
12) The world should be fair and just and if it is not, it is awful and I can’t stand it.
13) One should be comfortable and without pain at all times.
14) One may be going crazy because one is experiencing some anxious feelings.
15) One can achieve maximum human happiness by inertia and inaction or by passively and uncommittedly enjoying oneself.
