Overfunctioning? Try Leaving Instructions for Aliens

Changing yourself one index card at a time.

When people feel stuck in a relationship, I sometimes give them a simple assignment.

The Assignment: Imagine a friendly but slightly inept alien has crashed in your backyard and is going to inhabit your body for a day. (Honestly, you needed a break.) But this little buddy needs instructions on how to override your autopilot and navigate major relationships!

The Catch: You can only fit your instructions for the alien on one side of a 3x5 index card.

Note that this isn’t a to-do list for the alien. You’re not telling them to remember to set the trash cans out. These are instructions for relating to people with a bit more maturity. Let me show you a few examples I made up, because what else am I going to do at 9 p.m. on a Monday.