It is very simple. There are these little things known as expectations. Moms are great at this.
Picture this:
Mom: Hun, could you do the dishes? I expect them done by the time I get home.
Child: (eyes not moving from the television) **grunt**
What? What is that? That is a professional guilter, at their best. Let's examine this further.
It starts out with a question. Could you do the dishes? This may sound like you have an option but you don't. Do not ever ever think that you do, it only heightens the guilt.
Next, though they may not always use these exact words, moms give an ultimatum. Here is what they expect for you and the tone of voice signals how severe the consequences are, sometimes.
Now, if you obey or not determines your entrance, or lack thereof of the guilt cycle.
It comes in simple stages:
1. Lack of action - this occurs when a goal or task was previously established and nothing was done to help or hinder the accomplishment of goal or task
2. Ignoring of lack of progress - this is when notice is made in the area of the unaccomplished goal or task and instead of initiating action, it initiates purposeful ignorance
3. Attempt - with no action and ignoring well in place, that little voice in your head (if there are more than one, seek help) says that you should be doing something. Here there will be some movement done toward maybe doing something but, much like this sentence, it gets no where.
4. Consequences - this is the final stage in the cycle. This is when mom gets home or a deadline rushes past. The goal or task is far from done and now you must pay the consequence.
I can quickly and efficiently throw myself into this cycle.
So, I'm pretty glad I didn't make a goal about blogging.
