TRTC - How Does a Home Inspection Relate to Behavior Change?
The Road to Change: Step 7
Would You Buy a New House Without an Inspection?
For most of us, buying a house is the single biggest investment we’ll ever make. Committing to a mortgage, after years of sacrificing for a down payment, is not a knee-jerk decision; it’s calculated and intentional. You’ve scouted the location, the school district, the resale value and deliberately chose THE house. You even envisioned the paint colors, furniture, and window treatments you’ll purchase once the house is yours. The term “house poor” was once a joke but is quickly becoming a reality. The last step to homeownership is the dreaded home inspection. The one thing that could bring your dreams to a screeching halt.
Buying a new home without a home inspection is like an ostrich putting its head in the sand; if you don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. You’d never know about faulty electric, leaking roofs, or rotting septic lines. If your report stated you needed a new $30,000 roof, would your opinion of the house change? Would you go back and negotiate? When you have the facts in front of you, it’s easier to evaluate your next move. Don’t let the hidden thousands of dollars come back and haunt you like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLLQquBdU8M
What does a home inspection have to do with behavior change? Over the last 7 weeks, you’ve been working on your intentions, and some have been successful while others are having setbacks. These setbacks are like a leaking roof; they tell you something is wrong with your process that needs to be evaluated.
Sue shared a perfect example in our 2021 Challenge Group on Trainerize. One of her intentions is weight loss and limiting alcohol to three drinks a week is an action step to her success. The data she’s collecting revealed social gatherings are her Achilles’ Heel. Despite reciting her action steps prior to social engagements, she often exceeds her three-drink weekly limit. Sue needed to go back and negotiate this action step. In her words, “It feels like I am more on the way to change than I have been because I am very aware of the choices I am making versus not paying attention. If it’s not a good day of progress, I am digging in to understand WHY and at least ask the question of what to do differently next time.”
Through discussion, Sue realized it’s the wine glass she wanted, not the wine. Having the glass made her feel socially accepted in the group environment. That was the negation she made with herself, “I’m going to have one glass of wine and then refill my wine glass with seltzer.” This contingency closed the deal and allowed her to follow her three-drink action step.
Here’s your next step in the challenge: Inspect Your Action Steps and Negotiate Change!
If you’ve been struggling with your intentions, go back and see where the leaks are. Here are 5 questions you can ask yourself so you can fix the leaks.
1. Are my action steps realistic?
2. Were my expectations too unrealistic?
3. Why did I not follow through?
4. What can I do differently?
5. Is this important to me?
Once you’ve completed this task, post your findings to our 2021 Challenge Group.