Your words have more power than you could ever imagine. They’re the origin of your internal and external experience. They’re not the effect. Change your words and watch your life change as well.
Whenever I feel that tinge of “I can’t,” I change my words and quickly, both my internal perspective and my outside world shift. Being conscious of my words has been incredibly powerful.
Here are 10 things you tell yourself that may be killing your dreams:
Good, you should be! Whether grandiose or small, going for what you’ve always dreamed of is a departure from your comfort zone. It’s natural and normal to be scared.
Rather than letting fear be a reason to stop you, use it as a barometer to know that you’re on the right path to living an awesome, whole life. New choice of words: “I’m excited and exhilarated. Weeeee!”
Money. Time. Experience. Knowledge. Certifications. Who says? You’re the only person who can allow these thoughts to stop you or not.
Rather than looking at what you don’t have, look at the resources that you do have and how you can best leverage them. A dream in and of itself is enough to start. New choice of words: “I have more than enough.”
3. That’s just who I am.
If you look at yourself as fixated, you’ll quickly become hopeless. You’ll see the journey as impossible. Remember, you can always evolve.
Take a look at where you’re not acting in accordance with what you want. What habits and beliefs do you need to embrace in order to move closer to your dreams? Self-awareness breeds transformation, making it easier to take action.
Rather than looking at where you’re incapable, look at where you can grow. New choice of words: “I’m always becoming a better version of myself.”
4. It’s too hard.
Following your heart requires work. Whenever anything feels hard, take a moment and think about WHY you’re doing it. What’s the greater purpose?
Rather than looking at what you have to do, look at what you get to do. You’re following your dreams! Enjoy the process. Your life is the process. New choice of words: “Taking action is fun and inspires me to keep going.”
5. It’ll take away from someone else.
It’s easy to get caught up in how our actions are affecting the people we love. Will they be jealous? Am I being selfish? Am I not paying enough attention to them?
Rather than looking at how you’ll diminish someone else’s experience, look at how you can inspire them, comfort them with your joy, and give to them more fully when you’re truly happy. New choice of words: “My happiness is a gift to everyone.”
6. I’m not like them.
The “who am I to…?” syndrome.
We often believe that we’re not made of the same material as other dreamers and doers. We believe that we’re not like them, not as deserving, or not as capable.
Rather than feeling inadequate or undeserving compared to others, use their persistence as permission and inspiration to do that same. New choice of words: “I’m capable.”
7. I’m not ready.
This is a form of perfectionism which will stop you dead in your tracks. Starting is what makes you ready. It’s counterintuitive, but through action you’ll find clarity, the next move to take, and all that you’re waiting for.
Rather than stopping because you don’t feel ready, remember that you’ll only feel ready when you begin. New choice of words: “If not now, then when?”
8. I’ve never seen it done before.
Rather than looking for reasons of impossibility, find the inspiration to remain persistent in pursuit of your dreams. New choice of words: “I’m a trailblazer.”
9. I’ve tried before and it didn’t work out.
If you’ve never failed before, then you are a rare creature. Failure teaches you what doesn’t work and helps you get closer to what you want.
Rather than letting bumps in the road discourage you, focus on what you’ll do differently next time. New choice of words: “I’m full of experience and knowledge.”
10. I don’t want people to think differently of me.
Why not exactly? Those who truly love you will love you no matter what.
Rather than worrying about how others are perceiving you, focus on following your heart and living in accordance with who you want to be. When you’re honoring yourself, the opinions of others will matter less and less.
New choice of words: “I’m excited to show everyone who I truly am.”
Source: Mind Body Green
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