SECTION XLII: TYPE A BEHAVIOR
Therapist’s Overview : DEVELOPING NONCOMPETITIVE VALUES
GOALS OF THE EXERCISE
1. Accept that life is out of balance with too great an emphasis on drive, achievement, and competition.
2. Reprioritize values resulting in being less oriented toward achievement and more toward relaxation and relationship building.
3. List and commit to engagement in noncompetitive activities.
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THIS EXERCISE MAY BE MOST USEFUL
• Phase of Life Problems
• Spiritual Confusion
SUGGESTIONS FOR PROCESSING THIS EXERCISE WITH THE CLIENT
This exercise will help the client clarify values and focus on engagement in activities that lead to new priorities. The client will have to be held accountable for following through with implementing these planned activities because the inclination will be to not be able to find the time. Review the activity list the client produces and suggest additional activities that may be helpful in developing a more relaxed, spiritual, relational, and inner focus.
EXERCISE XLII.A : DEVELOPING NONCOMPETITIVE VALUES
A person who is constantly driven and preoccupied with getting ahead, winning at all costs, and dominating all social or business situations has lost balance. This person is typically impatient with others and cannot sit quietly and relax. The need for balance calls for less self-focus, a greater orientation toward others, less competition and impatience with others, and more nurturing of and valuing friendship. Use this exercise to reflect on ways that you can restore balance to your life and reduce the drive to only achieve more and more.
1.
Relationships: List the relationships in your life that are important to you. Next to each name, write an activity you could engage in with that person that would nurture and strengthen the closeness of the relationship.
| Name | Activity |
|---|
| A. ____________________________ | ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| B. ____________________________ | ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| C. ____________________________ | ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| D. ____________________________ | ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
2.
Recreation: List the recreational activities that would be relaxing, enjoyable, and serve to calm your spirit. Write a date that you could initiate such an activity.
| Activity | Date |
|---|
| A. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| B. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| C. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
3.
Spiritual Growth: List activities that you could engage in that would foster the spiritual aspect of your character. List a date to begin this activity.
| Activity | Date |
|---|
| A. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| B. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| C. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
4.
Reflection and Aesthetics: List activities that you could engage in that would develop your ability to reflect, relax, and enjoy the art of life. Write a date to begin.
| Activity | Date |
|---|
| A. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| B. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| C. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
5.
Giving to Others: List activities that you could participate in that would be a service to others. Write a date to begin.
| Activity | Date |
|---|
| A. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| B. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |
| C. | ________________________________________________________ | ____________________________ |
| ________________________________________________________ |