Momentum Monday: Want to Change Your World? Change How You View Yourself

Not surprisingly, what we say about ourselves practically always ends up being true.

Not the stuff we say when other people are around because we all know how to put on a good show. The stuff we whisper to ourselves when no one else is listening. The stuff that shapes our reality. The stuff that goes like this:

I am not good at…

I can’t…

I’ll never be…

And wouldn’t you know it – you aren’t good at, you can’t do it and you’ll never be.

Changing Your World Starts With Changing How You View Yourself

I said about myself that I wasn’t good at speaking. The thought of even doing a telephone interview terrified me. I would tell people it was because I am a writer and that writing is my form of communication.

Then I changed how I viewed myself.

I shifted from being a writer to a storyteller and an entertainer, capable of weaving captivating stories in ANY form. I reminded myself how soothing my voice was to my daughter when I read her bedtime stories. I observed how people reacted when I told stories at networking functions.

I started telling people how I was BORN to speak – so much so it was noted right there in my Kindergarten report card (not in those exact words, but close enough): “Carla spends too much time talking and not enough time listening.” If that wasn’t evidence of my infinite qualifications, nothing was.

Start Changing How You View Yourself to Change Your World

#1: Observe Yourself – Become a keen listener to yourself. Note how you speak about yourself and watch out for negative self-talk because it is one of our worst habits.

#2: Nip It in the Bud – When you find yourself thinking or talking about yourself in the negative, STOP IT! If you need a physical reminder, wear an elastic band and give it a snap when you start picking on you!

#3: Look for Evidence – Check your Life Resume for whatever (quirky or concrete) evidence of your ability to succeed, even if it is an unintended compliment from your Kindergarten report card.

#4: Seek Reinforcement – Grab your Bestie, or anyone who supports and lifts you, and have an “I can do this” chat. Think of it as a self pep talk with an audience!

#5: Take a Step Towards Your Goal – It doesn’t have to be a big step – just a step. Remember, success begets more success and is the first step toward changing your world.