own your unique expression
have you ever really listened to the constant stories you tell yourself? do they help propel you forward, or do they merely hold you back?
sometimes the stories in our minds don't allow us to be the strong creative individuals we know we can be
sometimes what we say to ourselves both limits and traps us
negative self-talk self-defeating beliefs obsessive thoughts all can seriously sabotage one’s life
when you begin the process of reconnecting with your authentic and original voice one critical question tends to emerge
are the thoughts and beliefs you’ve held for so long even your own?
it may be time (more likely past time) to start examining the stories you’ve been carrying around with you (maybe for a lifetime)
we've all noticed how a dog trotting in the same place on the lawn every week, every day creates a rutted path over time
when you think the same thoughts over and over and over it creates a similar groove a neural pathway in your brain
it's there, it's handy, and you (and the dog) keep returning to it but just as the dog can always choose to go another way, you too can choose
to think a new thought to fire up new neurons to establish a different route
today listen carefully to the words that automatically pop into your head or sail out of your mouth, and ask yourself
have i really thought this through? am i jumping to conclusions? am i just repeating what i've been told?
is there anything more productive that i could be thinking or saying?
if possible, answer these questions out loud sometimes the simple act of doing so creates additional clarity, courage, and strength
if you hear anything like “must” or “ought” or “should” or “need to” stop, breathe, and consciously remove these words from your programmed brain
replace them with words like “can” or “may” or “it’s okay to” or "want to" and begin thinking or speaking again
rephrasing these statements reminds you that you have power, that you're the one in charge of your thoughts, in charge of your life
retain your individual voice own your unique expression tweet