Do you label yourself negatively like a permanent marker on a whiteboard?
Do you label yourself negatively like a permanent marker on a whiteboard?
If you have had past experiences that have lead you to label yourself negatively, then there is a good chance you permanently stick with those labels and the behaviours that are associated with those labels in your adult life.
For me I used to say to myself, “I’m a bad public speaker.”
Not only did that statement prevent me from engaging in public speaking, it also had a cascading effect by making me anxious about speaking up in small meetings.
So how to label yourself like a whiteboard marker on a whiteboard instead. There are my 3️⃣ tidbits:
1. Growth mindset
Labelling yourself like a permanent marker is like having a fixed mindset (you believe that you can’t change).
Embracing a growth mindset is the key, to breaking out of the permanency of a label you don’t want. Dr Carol Dweck talks more about growth mindset in her book, Mindset.
2. Self-Confidence
Building self-confidence doesn't necessarily require taking big actions. The confidence in yourself is built through doing tiny tasks consistently to build trust in yourself.
Just because you are doing the tiny tasks consistently, doesn’t mean you will sustain your self-confidence.
You also need to regularly reflect on the small tasks you've completed and acknowledge your progress and the change in your identity.
3. Self-worth
Self-worth refers to the fundamental belief in one’s own value and worthiness as a person, independent of external achievements.
It is different to self-confidence… self-worth is knowing that you are simply enough.
We can often tell ourselves stories that we have to get more experience, skill stacking or we have to achieve more.
But knowing that you are enough, doesn’t mean relinquishing your ambition.
Jamie Kern Lima has a new book, Worthy, on the topic of self-worth and has practical tips to build your self-worth.
Thought Provoking Quotes on this week’s topic
Jamie Kern Lima
I made the decision that I wouldn’t allow that label to stick to me and take root in my mind. In life, we aren’t who people say we are, we’re who we believe we are.
Rob Siltanen
People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.