A Bit of Clarification

When I reported that Mary Ellen and I will be closing our practice at the end of the year a reader wrote, “I was thinking about signing up for the last week in December when I’m off from my work, but if you’re closing on December 31 I won’t be able to do the follow-up…”

Wrong! You will, of course, be able to do as much follow-up as you want/need. So too, former clients can schedule sessions. The difference is that we won’t be accepting NEW clients.

So – fear not – we will still be around to address the needs of former and current and ongoing clients.

Yes, things are changing and opportunities are diminishing, but not for you, and not for awhile. Choose accordingly and we will accommodate you.

A Bit All That Said Clarification

Part of any successful change is having, or expecting, outcomes you want. That would seem to be self-evident but it isn’t always the case.

Example: a woman called and said she wanted to quit drinking but she couldn’t imagine not being able to drink a toast at her daughter’s wedding.

I said, “That’s coming up?”

“Oh no, not too soon,” she said.

“How old is your daughter?” I said, seeking some perspective.

“Five,” she said.

That set me back just a bit.

“Five?” I said, perhaps a little loudly.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“At the rate you’re going,” I said, “you won’t have to worry about drinking a toast.”

“Why not?”

“Odds are, you’ll be dead; or you won’t be invited. Never mind that your daughter may never marry.”

This is an example of the worst kind of false blockage we erect to delay any change. It’s like saying, “Oh well, I’ve smoked for ___ years, it’s too late for quitting to make a difference.” Even though quitting makes beneficial changes to your health starting after just 24 hours and really significant changes within a couple of years (when my life insurance premiums dropped by 50%).

So how do you scare yourself into continuing whatever negative habits you know you ought to alter?

(I can already hear, “Oh, Damn. I was going to work with Mary Ellen and Ed but they’re closing up shop. Guess I’ll have to start looking for a new resource. Damn!” Big sigh of relief, having dodged the change bullet and having us to blame for it.)

Yes, I have used most of the dodges and heard many more. But I always knew when I was doing it. I tend to assume you do too. So for everyone who says, “Oh damn, they’re closing so I won’t be able to next year,” someone else will say, “Oh damn, I better get my ass in gear before they close next year.”

Which category do you fall into?