Maria Connolly, LPC
Do you sometimes feel like you’re not what other people think you are, that you’ve got them fooled, that they’re not seeing how limited you are? When insecurities and self-doubt trigger these thoughts, it’s a phenomenon known as imposter syndrome and many highly successful people have experienced it. The good news is overcoming imposter syndrome takes an attitude of curiosity. Really, could it be so simple?
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Will Durant
Habit is one of the strongest forces in our lives. And that’s a good thing because if you had to stop and make a brand new decision about every little thing in life, you’d never make it out of bed, let alone get to work. While most habits are behaviors that save you a great deal of time, not all habits are helpful. Some actually get in your way of making progress toward desired goals. However, if mindfully striving for excellence becomes your overriding habit — your preferred way of being — then your other habits will be beneficial. Yes, the quest for excellence is a habit that feeds success!
“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.” ~ Margaret J. Wheatley
Imagine that everything you’ve ever experienced has been wiped from your memory. How lost would you feel? On the other hand, what if your brain was constantly flooded by every sensation you’ve experienced? It would be an unbearable overload! So we can be thankful that the brain does daily sorting, filing, and clearing. Understanding that this happens gives us an edge, if we use it mindfully! We can influence the brain by telling it what to keep and what to discard through a practice of reflection. But reflection takes time and effort and it doesn’t come easily to everyone, so I’d like to share some reflection prompts that will get you started.
Is your closet full of unfinished projects? Are your shelves covered with training courses you started, but never completed? Do you have relationships that are unfulfilling and stagnant? How often do you feel really excited and motivated to try something new, but as you begin, fear creeps in and stops you from taking the next step necessary to moving forward? If you suffer from low motivation learn to bravely take action by creating harmony within yourself when you feel fear.
“It’s just as important to know when to drop something and shift direction as it is to know when to stick with something. When we quit the things that aren’t working for us, we free up our willpower and perseverance for the things that really do matter.” ~ Rich Karlgaard, Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement
Don’t give up! Quitters are losers! Quitting is not an option! We hear messages like these all the time. They make us believe that we’re supposed to hang on and plow through, no matter the cost. I strongly disagree! And here are my reasons for doing so…