Trouble with Session 3

Chuckie · Post by **Chuckie** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:20 pm

Did anyone else have trouble getting the work done in Session 3. I am in the middle of the session and have hardly written my negative thoughts in my notebook. I do understand this exercise, but I am a teacher and rarely get a chance to myself throughout the workday and I have only thought to write when I can't write, such as while jogging or driving. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Chuck

sleeplessMom · Post by **sleeplessMom** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:50 pm

Same trouble here. I am gone - driving or working - from 7 am to 7 pm. No time to write in a little book. Besides, I would probably start obsessing about the last word and forget what I was doing. I'm also afraid I would put down the little book and everyone would have a good laugh. That would be a kicker, wouldn't it?

Mark79 · Post by **Mark79** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 4:22 pm

I too am having difficulty actually writing down negative thoughts specifically when they are happening.

I know some of my recurring thoughts of anxiety and have written them down, but I know I have many more...

I really want to kick this bad habit...advice?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:31 am

What about a small tape recorder that you could use in lieu of writing in a notebook? You could use it in the car or if on a break at work or at lunch.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:29 pm

Having the same problem here..I barely have anything written for this week but I know this is my worst problem beeing negative! I have time but seems I forget to write them down since I am having so many that I don't even know what to write anymore feels like I can't break that cycle and I want to master it before moving on to next week...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 8:57 am

I'm stuck on session 3 too... and i'm such a perfectionist, I don't want to move on until I do it right. I've tried 3 weeks now to start and do it right but I get discouraged or "get busy" which is probably an excuse. I believe the negative thoughts is my worst symptom too and I don't want to go on until I do this right. I set my alarm clock for 5am so I can get up and do it but I end up hitting the snooze button till like 6:30! It's either I'm lazy or I need to get to bed earlier... probably both. It's frustrating.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:10 am

Originally posted by Chuckie:
Did anyone else have trouble getting the work done in Session 3. I am in the middle of the session and have hardly written my negative thoughts in my notebook. I do understand this exercise, but I am a teacher and rarely get a chance to myself throughout the workday and I have only thought to write when I can't write, such as while jogging or driving. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Chuck

hey chuck how about carrying a small voice recorder in your pocket?

lion24 · Post by **lion24** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:45 am

Could it be that you are having trouble identifying your negative thoughts? I had a great deal of trouble when I did Session 3. It is a very important session, and you will return to it again and again as you go through the program because it is one of the basics.

I decided I would review it every day. Just skim the workbook and think about it. Then whenever I had a negative thought I would try to identify it. What I found were the same bad thoughts over and over again. I have since had an AHA moment where it all made sense. A lot of my anxiety is about performing better than anyone else. It's because I have felt like a burden since I was old enough to talk. When you are a burden, you try to make it up to everyone by performing extraordinarily ! Most of my negative talk was "I'll mess this up!" or "I won't finish this." or "No one will like what I've done."

Just pay attention to that little voice inside of you. I think you will find the same messages being played over and over, and you won't have to write them down.

Jackie