I want to share this article by Anna Watkins with you today.
Talk about turning negative self talk into positive self talk. It’s a great way to eliminate excuses before they get a foothold in your mind.
If you don’t have time right now to do this exercise, then give it a quick read and then go do what you have to, but please come back to it later.
This exercise produces results like you wouldn’t believe.
Just replacing the negative with a positive makes all the difference in your productivity towards your goals.
It makes all the difference in the answers you get. It makes all the difference in your attitude and belief in your ability to solve the problem. It gives you a new place to start.
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Substitute the solution “I Could If . . .”, whenever you feel like “I Can’t Because . . .” and fill in the blanks with small positive tasks to move you forward. It works like crazy!
You will be amazed at the new answers your brain will give you if you ask the right questions. Feel free to start a discussion in the comments section below.
Here is Anna’s article:
I Could If . . .
Many of us could have graduate degrees in excuse making. We have developed it to such a fine art that we really should get an honorary doctorate.
Now you may be thinking that it would be terrific to have people calling you, “Doctor.”
However, all that excuse making skill will not cut it in the real world if we want to achieve our dreams and have an enjoyable life.
Let’s try another approach.
Take your personal example and put it through this exercise.
Your current story may begin, “I can’t because . . . blah blah blah.”
Here are some examples:
I can’t get a new job or promotion because my computer skills are not strong enough.
I need more clients but I don’t have the time or money to work on my marketing.
I want to spend more time with my family (friends or hobby), but my work is too demanding.
Is that really true? Do you have so little control over your life that these things are beyond your reach? Ha! If you really really really want to make this happen, you can!
Your NEW story begins, “I could if.”
Now start writing and list as many actions as you can think of – no matter how crazy some of them may appear. No judgment – just writing!
I could if I:
Spend 20 minutes a day using the Help function of the computer application I am using
Read the user manual
Take a class
Ask someone with more skills to help me
I could if I:
Attend one more network gathering each month
Follow up with current or former clients to see how they are doing and how I may be of assistance
Give prospective customers something of value – an article, free newsletter, etc.
Listen to my customers to learn how I can add more value for them
I could if I:
Schedule and keep an appointment for time with my spouse, my kids, my golf clubs, bird watching, painting
Look for events we can enjoy and mark them on the calendar or post them on a bulletin board
Buy tickets and commit to attending an activity together
Volunteer, making a commitment to support a cause that we can enjoy together
OK. Your turn!
by Anna Watkins
Action expresses priorities. — Mohandas Gandhi
What ever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now! — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Anna Watkins is a Career Coach with a special interest in group coaching and Master Mind Groups, networks of like minded people who support and help each other stay on track with their life goals.You can learn more about the resources she offers through her website: http://www.one-e-anna.com
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