Page 29 - Too Smart Dog

EXERCISE
You might think that the “Too Smart Dog” was a coward because he did not attack the thief. But to me, he is a real hero because he did something many of us are afraid to do. He thought about what would be the best thing to do in a situation and then did what was in his best self-interest, even if that meant that he might be criticized.
Often, you know what you should do in a particular situation but are afraid to do it because others might get angry with you or make fun of you. “Too Smart Dog” was brave enough to do what he knew he should do, regardless of what others might say or do.
The only way that you can be sure that you are doing what is in your best self-interest is to get rid of your “Stinky Thinking.” One way to do that is to practice a skill that uses your imagination. You think about situations, which have already happened and figure out what is in your best self-interest, without letting any “Stinky Thinking” influence you. You practice these imagined situations and in time, you will be able to do the same thing at the time the situation is occurring.
1. Imagine any situation in which you got very angry.
2.Now try and remember what you were telling yourself to cause you to be angry. 3.How did you behave? Was it in your best self-interest?
4.Now challenge that “Stinky Thinking” until you change it into “Good Thinking.” 5.Now that you have “Good Thinking” about this situation, how would you act? 6.Is your new behavior to this imagined situation in your best self-interest?
Think of a situation in which you were very embarrassed and go through steps. Think of a situation in which you were very sad or worried and go through steps.
If you get in the habit of going through this process every time you are confronted with a difficult situation, you will get in the habit of doing what is in you best self-interest. Since you are doing what is best for you, without trying to hurt others, you will also be “Too Smart.”
26