39
every occasion." She did... and it changed her life. Many years later,
Dr. Erickson read a newspaper account of several hundred people
attending the funeral of the "African Violet Lady." It wasn't a complex,
deeply psychological plan. It was a great plan only because she was
willing to DO SOMETHING!
Step 6:
Learn the Specific Steps in Each Self-Help Method
Learn the details of carrying out the self-help methods
selected for your treatment plan, and try out your
treatment plan, i.e., DO SOMETHING!
The treatment plans, as discussed in the last step, merely identify
the possible self-help methods in general terms. To save words, many
of the methods are just described by title or brief label, e.g.
"confront," "schedule," "reward," "desensitize," "SQRRR," "decision-
making," "clarify values," "build self-esteem," "challenge your
irrational ideas...or self-cons," "keep a journal," "recognize put-down
games," etc. It is very unlikely--unless you are very well read--that
you know how to carry out these methods expertly. Indeed, you
probably don't have any idea what some of the labels mean. Don't
worry, chapters 11 to 15 will tell you exactly how to use each method.
For examples, the two people above (the shy guy and the
procrastinator) can find out how to apply certain methods (including
some that may not be used) by reading in these chapters:
Self-Help
Method
(For shyness)
Described in
Chapter
Self-Help
Method
(For
procrastination)
Described in
Chapter
contracting for a
reward
Chapter 11
clarify values and
meaning
of life
Chapter 3
self-praise
Chapter 11
to-be-done list
and scheduling
Chapter 13
relaxation
Chapter 12
self-reinforcement
& self-praise
Chapter 11
desensitization
Chapter 12
SQRRR reading
method
Chapter 13
role-playing
Chapter 13
improve decision
making; making
career choices
Chapter 13
