When I was younger one of my boyfriends would always quote G. I. Joe to me. Whenever I said, “Well, now I know,” he would chime in with Joe’s famous line, “And knowing is half the battle.” I always thought it was cute because he was cute and it was one of “our things.” Give me a break, I was young.
Yet, as I get older, I realize there was a little genius in that 80s cartoon. Even though Joe was cautioning the young ones about skateboarding safety and talking to strangers, the same rule can apply to dating.
As a dating coach, it’s my job to help my clients figure out the dating blocks and challenges holding them back from a healthy and happy relationship. Sometimes, as they start to realize their challenges, they can become very overwhelmed by having to make significant changes in their lives.
Many times, the behavior that is holding them back is a comfort zone or defense mechanism that they have been clinging onto for years. Breaking those patterns is not going to happen overnight. I will be the first to say that it ain’t easy.
When they say to me, “How do I even do that?” I start by asking them to channel their inner G.I. Joe because, “knowing really IS half the battle.” Once you know what isn’t working, you can use that awareness to slowly, but surely, make changes. You can watch for the self-defeating behavior and correct it on the spot. After time, it will become your new learned behavior. No, it is not an easy process, but I think a happy and healthy relationship is worth it, don’t you?
If you are in place where something just isn’t working, it may be time to step back and take a long, hard look at what you are doing. What pitfalls do you keep falling into? How do you hold yourself around people? Are you setting yourself (and your future Mr. Fantastic) up for success? Creating a better awareness of what is and isn’t working in your dating life is the first step. Channeling your inner G.I. Joe can help you get there.
Dating Makeover Coach Challenge: If you are aware of something that isn’t working for you, channel that G.I. Joe. Figure out ways to remind yourself of what you need to change and your ultimate goal. Start creating the awareness and you will create the changes.
Now, march on soldiers. Love is a battlefield.
Go Joe!
