Day 24 Button Challenge

Borrowing from the Business World

How to solve problems…One model used in the business world is Opportunity, Solution, Time Frame, Responsible, Monitor, Verification. Let’s break this down word by word.

Opportunity Notice how this is stated. It is an opportunity to change, not a problem to fix. An opportunity is a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. I have an opportunity to improve my health by following my Food Plan. I will improve all aspects of my health: mental, physical, spiritual.

Solution A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation. The solution is the way out, the plan for how to change the circumstances. To make success an option. My solution is my Food Plan.

Time Frame Multiple time frames to consider. In the practice of following my Food Plan, it is always now. “I will always use the present moment to be healthy.” is the mantra of success. Then, there is the day. I measure the previous day’s success by daily weigh-ins and habit tracking. (I have a list of habits I track. For example, drinking a large glass of water with every meal.) I don’t know how long it will take me to reach my ideal weight. I do know I am in this for the long haul. This journey will not end when I reach my ideal weight. It is a life-long project.

Responsible There is only one person responsible for what I eat and drink. It is not my parents, for my genetics. It is not all the stress I have in my life. It is not the advertisers of processed food. It is not my family that made me get fast food, because we needed dinner, and I worked late. I am responsible for what I put into my month. Very simple.

Monitor How will I know if my solution is valid? I will monitor. I weigh myself daily, I track my habits, I make adjustments if needed. I have set a course and I will continue to make sure I am on track. I will not be on auto-pilot, and base my evaluation on how I feel.

Verification Meaning: the process of establishing the truth, accuracy, or validity of something. After a period of time (90 days), if following my food plan is a valid way of reaching my health goals, my Food Plan will be verified. Now, for me to verify my Food Plan as an effective way to reach my health goals, I must follow it consistently. What does consistently mean? Does it mean 50% or 95% of the time? My intention is 100%. Will I make that? I don’t know. I don’t live in the future. I live and eat/drink now. It is always now. I will always use the present moment to be healthy. After I accumulate a whole lot of nows, I will reach my desired destination.

The process of O S T R M V is helpful to work through all sorts of issues. What works for business also works in our personal lives. Remove the emotion that gets in the way. Look at the facts. Nutrition is a science, and conforms to basic scientific truths.