Inspired Choice

10 Tips to Overcome Stories You Tell That Keep You Stuck

Think about a time in the last week where you got out of bed or sat down at your desk determined to take action on one of your most important work goals.  And it didn't happen.

Perhaps you were going to make a networking call, sending an email to ask for an introduction or follow-up with a prospective client or employer.  Instead you found yourself answering emails, surfing online or rearranging the papers in your files to create busy-ness and feel productive.  Part of you wants the goal to be achieved and part of you creates a diversion because of a perceived risk, discomfort or fear. Welcome to procrastination! 

Here is a new twist on what's going on in that wonderful mind of yours and a new way to think about being stuck AND solutions to help.

This happens to ALL of us... full disclosure.  As I wrote this article, I had some not-so-quiet self talk going on saying things like, "I'm not feeling creative enough to write, so this article won't be good" or "This isn't going to interest my readers and maybe a nap is a better idea!"  See how active that inner critic can be? Two or three times I had to laugh out loud and ask myself, "So what story are YOU telling yourself, Gail? And what story would you rather tell?!"  It was like a big DUH moment.  It turned out to be great research!  So even in the midst of writing to tell you how to overcome negative self talk by changing the stories you tell yourself, it happened to me!  

For more on the value we get from acknowledging the voice of fear and how to make it work for you, go to my article here.  For more on the impact of judgment in the workplace (and in your head), how it protects you and how to work with it, go here for another oldie but goodie.

What are the stories you tell your Self that keep you stuck?

Isolate a recent procrastination moment and imagine that your thought processes where spoken out loud and recorded.  If you could replay your inner dialogue, what would you hear?  

Interview w/Noah Blumenthal on Overcoming Negative Story-telling

Noah Blumenthal is author of the nationally bestselling book Be the Hero and was named by Leadership Excellence Magazine as one of the world’s “Top 100 Minds in Personal Development.” As a keynote speaker and executive coach Noah has worked with diverse clients including Goldman Sachs, Frito Lay, MTV Networks, Columbia University, Brandeis University, the Clinton School for Public Service, the International Coaching Federation, the American Society of Training and Development, and the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Visit him at www.be-the-hero.com to view an inspirational video and sign up for free weekly hero tips.

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How do you describe your process of overcoming negative story-telling related to career or business and why is it an important skill to develop? Psychology, philosophy and neuroscience all agree that the way we choose to interpret our world, what I call our stories, determines our happiness, energy, creativity, decision making, productivity and success. Even sports science has conducted studies showing that up-tempo music leads to a better and more enjoyable workout. Your stories are just like the music you play during your workout. They are playing in the background of your mind all day, every day. Up-tempo stories lead to better performance.

There are many processes and techniques to change your stories. In my book, Be the Hero, and in my keynotes I ask my audiences to ask themselves, "What would the hero see?"