Identifying Cause & Effect

​In grade school we first learn about cause and effect. I remember worksheets with phrases like: Mom forgot the oven was on and the bread was burned.

(Okay, that was never one of the sentences, but both Mike and I have mothers famous for their black-bottomed bread).

Anyhow, you took the sentence and you had to circle the cause (Mom forgot the oven was on) and underline the effect, the bread was burned.

Such a simple exercise for any adult, yet one we constantly need to be reminded of. As adults we constantly fret over a negative outcome (effect we don’t want) or what we can’t attain (elusive effect).

Maybe we just need to go back to grade school.

Feeling sluggish in the afternoon is an effect I don’t want. Instead of complaining about it (which accomplishes nothing) I’m going to try to look at the cause.

I don’t have to think for more than a few seconds to draw a connection between fatigue and poor sleep habits combined with bad choices in what I’ve consumed that day.

Address those issues to alter the cause (better nutrition + sleep practices) and produce the desired effect (no afternoon crash).

Taking time to evaluate the cause behind the effect is the first step on the path to better health, peace of mind, productivity, and strengthened relationships.

The only time this doesn’t work is when we try to apply it to things beyond our control. I can only control my behavior. I can’t use cause and effect to change other people, nor is that my job, my right, or my concern.

When it comes to myself and personal responsibility though, I just might make myself a worksheet to identify cause and effect…

• (Amanda didn’t exercise) and was in a very bad mood.

• (Amanda watched many cat videos) and didn’t get her work done.

• Amanda isn’t very happy with herself. Also, (she ate all the cake).