You know what they say about assumptions.
Alright. Here’s what I can put together today that I couldn’t four weeks ago:
I’ve been operating with an underlying assumption that in setting up my coaching practice - if I struggle, make a mistake, or fail once, it will mean I’m a failure.
This assumption, though never spoken aloud, has steered me toward protecting myself from failure. I’ve had moments when I avoid taking the next step with a shoulder-shrug of, “if I don’t start - I can’t fail!”.
Over and over again, I’ve left things for tomorrow instead of starting them today, I’ve slept in on my time to work for myself and make progress toward my goals.
Does this all add up to me boldly living in a mindset of life offering neither problems nor challenges, only opportunities? No.
Even though this succession of mental-moves is angering, it is also clarifying. If I can test my assumptions about what struggling or making an early mistake might mean, I can transform the feelings and actions that follow.
As it turns out - this isn’t just a me thing. It is a frustratingly, beautifully, human, natural, and self-protecting thing. It is something we can to let happen OR it can be something we can choose to take head on.
A few bold change agents have jumped into this Change Challenge - take a glance at their powerful outcomes and discover your own!
Take time to think about what you’ve been doing or not doing instead
Identify the fear-based assumptions prompting all the thoughts and feelings through the guidance below.
Discover the fear-based assumptions undermining your ability to charge at your goals.
Look back at your reflections from each step of the change challenge. What do all of these things reveal about your assumptions and beliefs?
Make a list and include everything you can:
Assumptions that you think are actually fact - OF COURSE that would happen.
Assumptions you know aren’t really true when you slow down, but still revert to
Assumptions that are only partially true or sometimes true.
You may see powerful connections; that these assumptions have been driving your feelings and actions!
How do your assumptions drive you to focusing on your competing commitments?
How do these competing commitments live out in what you are or are not doing instead of achieving the growth you want?
How do these behaviors relate to and perhaps undermine your growth goal?