You’ve started with dreams, moved to a plan and set your goals. But do you believe it can happen? Most of us have a built-in naysayer, a voice inside us that convinces us that those big dreams can never happen. You might even have a few of them with names like: Fear of failure, You’re not enough, It’s impossible, or Indecision. They are determined to keep us within our comfort zone and stuck in status quo. Any time we get a great idea, that voice creeps in and pops our bubble of confidence.
So what can you do? You must challenge the validity of those voices. They are born from a lack of confidence or from self-doubt. Their words may actually come from the past-from the mouths of friends or family who didn’t believe in your goals or in you. Just because something didn’t work for you in the past doesn’t mean it can’t work now. Just because someone you know failed at something doesn’t mean you will.
Take some time to notice when the saboteur voice comes around. Is it every time you have to make a decision or are feeling vulnerable? What if you had another voice inside you, one who has your back in a good way, who believes in you and wants you to be able to achieve your goals? That voice is like your best friend and cheerleader. That voice can say anything you imagine that will support you and give you strength. Think of that voice as your future self, 20 years from now. Your future self has lived your life and succeeded, has overcome hardships and broken out of the status quo.
What do you want to hear from your future self? What would you want your best friend to tell you when you REALLY want to do something that is important to you? Write it down and memorize it. Tell yourself these things when you are low and feeling vulnerable. That voice might be saying, “You can do it! Be patient, take your time.” Or, “The hard work will pay off, go for it!” That voice can remind you why your goal is so important in the first place. It can keep your enthusiasm alive and growing.
We all have perceived and real weaknesses. We all have moments of self-doubt and times when we question our path or our actions. If you develop and build on your strengths and then believe in yourself, anything is possible. If on the other hand, you stick your feet in the mud and don’t reach for anything better, you will never know if your dreams were possible.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain
Monica Leggett is a personal life coach for women and entrepreneurs of all ages. For information on how she can help you find your life's path, call 203-209-5462 or email Monica@newstepslifecoaching.com
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