We've come a long way on our journey to being more positive and confident people. We're psyched, motivated, eye weary, mind numbed, and really looking forward to some home cooked boiled okra.

Don't worry, there's not much to developing a Change Me program. It's been done for eons - ever since Grog had difficulty mingling at the ritual wooly mammoth roasting festival (he later became leader of the clan and keeper of the fire). It's so simple. Here's what you need with an example of my own change program:

One of Mine: I have a hard time asking a WalMart Sales associate where I would find jockey briefs.

Mine: I'd say the jockey briefs are fairly immediate so I'll place it there.

Mine:Again, jockey briefs ... hey, who am I kidding - I don't even wear jockey briefs. Let's just say something in the men's underwear section. And I'll list it as my top priority only because I don't want to list my five pages of real CHUMs.

• Positive - Motivation - 1=very little motivation 10=passonite
• Negative - Cost in time- effort, stress, money, and satisfaction 1=not costly 10=very costly
• Intensity - How focused are you on getting it done - 1=still a lot of distractions 10=very focused (I'm ready)
• Negative - Blocking factors - what is in your way- training, fear, disapproval, people, etc. 1=not much blocking 10=difficult to overcome factors

Then subtract the total motivation from cost and blocking from the intensity. Sum the two and divide by your height. Add that to the National Dept. with an offset factor of our Chinese export deficit that is a factor of 12 to the 11 power. There's your answer.

Make mental note of your feelings, blood pressure, body movement, and strength of underarm odor.

Mine: I knew that my anxiety level increased once I saw the front door greeter. I also started sweating profusely as I passed the women's lingerie section - avoiding eye contact and trying not to run my hand across any of the displays. At all costs, I would steer clear of anyone with a blue vest.

You must change your subconscious first, before changing the behavior.

• Walmart sales associates put their pants on just like everyone else.
• Asking for help finding something does not make me a weak or demented person.
• I'm a unique person with special undergarment needs just like all red-blooded Americans.

I also spent quite a bit of time at work with my eyes closed visualizing a successful shopping experience at Wallyworld. And yes - there were times when I fell asleep but - Hey! I'm a unique individual with special office needs just like every other deprived state employee.

• Be Time specific
• Be Behavior Specific
• Be Reinforcer Specific

• Time-When ever I enter a Walmart store.
• Behavior-Walk right up to a sales associate and ask where I can find something -anything - even if it's an ointment.
• Reinforcer-I get to pick a box of Sam's Want-to-be Pop Tarts.

Write things down and don't be afraid to make program changes. Ask a friend to help evaluate.

Mine:

• Point 1. Repeating my affirmation statements helped relax me even though I was lost in the parking lot
for a while.
• Point 2. A warm-friendly smile at the greeter still didn't get me one of the motorized carts.
• Point 3. They really shouldn't put the lingerie section in the middle of the store.
• Point 4. I stayed relaxed and walked right up to a sales associate and asked for a price check on WallyWorld Whole Wheat Gummy Bears.

Hallelujah - success!! I'm saving the jockey briefs for my next trip. One little step at a time.

Now it's fairly obvious that I was kidding around with my CHUM which kind of fits the purpose of this site. It's important to remember that Life's Too Serious most of the time. But don't underestimate the importance of creating a Change Me program and working though a change that you're wanting to make. Put it in writing. It'll force you to internalize it better and establish a committment that'll help you see through it.