Have you ever said things to yourself like….
“I can’t cook.”
“I’m not good at making things.”
“I’m not good with words.”
“I’ve always been negative. I was born that way.”
Did you know that the things you say to yourself have a way of becoming more and more true? This happens partially because of your belief but even more so because saying it gives you an excuse to not make an effort to get better.
If I’m not currently a great cook, I say to myself and others, “I can’t cook” or “I’m not a good cook.” Why, instead, don’t we say “I am becoming a better cook” and then buy some books, take a class, watch some YouTube videos and do the work to become a better cook.
Instead of saying, “I’m not good at making things.” Why, instead, don’t we say “I’m ready to get better at making things” and then pick a project, watch some videos or talk to others who have done it, then get started and learn/improve as you go.
Do we make excuses rather than make an effort because we are lazy; because we are afraid we won’t be as good as another person; because we are afraid of judgment? Whatever the reason, the point is if you try you CAN get better. Even if you were 1% better every day, in 100 days you would be 100% better than you are today!!
I challenge you today to pay attention to what you say. Find one negative thing that you say to yourself and STOP SAYING THAT. Instead, re-phrase it into a “getting better” statement and then commit to 2 steps you will take toward getting better at that thing.
Here’s mine:
What I have been saying: I can’t think of good blog post topics.
What I’m going to start saying: I’m getting better at finding good blog post topics.
My 2 steps:
- I will download a voice recorder app to my phone so that as I go through the day and I think of something interesting, all I have to do is quickly record it so I can go back later and write about it.
- I will commit to taking one of the topics that came to me during the week and writing/posting it.
Results I expect: Life presents me with many interesting experiences that could become blog topics. As I practice being aware of them, I will also be prepared to capture them via my voice recorder. I will than have plenty of topics (and no more excuses) to write a weekly blog post!
It’s your turn! I’d love to hear what you are going to STOP SAYING, what you are going to start saying and what steps you plan to take.
“As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7
–Find, Live & Protect Your Abundant Life
Crossroads Ranch