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What are you waiting for? Get rid of old habits and welcome your new life.
🎼 📖 Read Intellego #028 by listening to:
Intro
Maybe this article will be useful for you, maybe not. However, if it helps one person, it will have been worth writing it. I start today's edition with three questions:
How often do you stand in your own way?
Do you believe in yourself amid the chaos?
How do you progress in the face of adversity?
We are our worst enemies. Nobody can destroy us except ourselves. It's easy to switch on and off that button of self-destruction in our heads. I ask you one thing: remain vigilant!
Without even realizing it, we disrupt the natural flow of life. Suddenly, those negative thoughts kick in, self-confidence drops, anxiety increases, and the victim loops appear.
But how? Why do we do this to ourselves? We just need one undermining thought, an unhealthy belief, an act of arrogance, pride, or false ambition. Our ego blocks our vision.
When no one is doubting us, we'll have moments when we doubt ourselves. It does not matter the amount of self-knowledge, therapy, spiritual guidance you have got.
Being aware and understanding our tendencies to self-sabotage can pave the path to personal growth and fulfillment.
Everyone feels lost and uncertain sometimes. It's part of the game. After months of reflections, I wrote five reminders to overcome self-sabotage.
I believe you know well those internal barriers, fears, monsters that may hold you back and hinder your progress.
If you don’t, I encourage you to delve into your blind spots.
“The things you love about others are the things you love about yourself. The things you hate about others are the things you cannot see in yourself.”
Simplicity Is King
Strip away unnecessary layers of complexity. Simplify to amplify.
How many times have we caught ourselves procrastinating? Saying the sentence: “Piece of cake task, I’ll handle it later.” Or “I’ll do it differently this time to prove myself.” Pure ego.
Procrastination and perfectionism are your biggest enemies. They mess up your days and jeopardize your long-term success.
Who has never experienced these situations before? I risk saying we all had.
Whenever you can, simplify things and let the power of consistency benefit you. I am fond of the phrase: “Done is better than perfect.”
One of the most common ways we sabotage ourselves is by over-complicating situations. We fall into the trap that complexity equals quality. What a deceit!
This inadequate mindset can lead to procrastination and inaction. We overwhelm ourselves and others as we devise complex plans.
Instead, simplify your approach. Less is more. No fear, no shame, no fraud. Get straight to the point.
Keep it simple. Break down your tasks into manageable steps and prioritize them. Focus on progress rather than perfection. Simplify to amplify.
By breaking down your goals or projects into milestones, you can maintain momentum and build confidence. Remember, clarity and simplicity often lead to more effective outcomes.
“Impressing people is utterly different from being truly impressive.”
Fight Fears
Confront your fears and find yourself.
No one can be as destructive as ourselves. We are our best friend, but also our worst enemy. We're the first to criticize and abort our own dreams.
“I’m not as good as people say."
"I'm not as good as I think I am."
"I’m not good at anything.”
These internalized self-doubts can be significant barriers to personal and professional growth. If you listen to these negative thoughts enough, you'll end up doubting yourself.
When there is too much resistance and suffer, you're not flowing with life.
But as soon as you simplify your processes, take the garbage out and realign the route, things fall into place again. You're back in the game.
Life is a cycle. Sometimes, you're on the top. Sometimes, you reach rock bottom because of your own pressure and false expectations. You put yourself into places and situations that you don't belong to.
Throw away the impostor mask. But how can we combat these mental sabotages? Here are four practices to overcome impostor syndrome:
Enjoy yourself: recognize and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they are.
Keep a record: make a list of your successes and revisit them when self-doubt creeps in.
Seek feedback: ask trusted peers and mentors to provide objective perspectives on your capabilities.
Embrace change: acknowledge your accomplishments and setback. Adopting a growth mindset can help diminish feelings of self-doubt.
“Don't avoid the feeling of inadequacy despite evident success. Accept this emotion and transform into constructive motion. Keep moving, keep living, keep learning.”
You’re Enough
First, you complicated what was simple. Second, you fall into impostor syndrome. Third, you're looking for a solution. Together, let's find a way out...
Don’t overthink. Don't search for meaning or explanation for everything in life. Most of the cases, you won't find it.
In the age of information overload, it’s easy to fall into the trap of endlessly seeking more data, advice, or validation before making decisions.
This perpetual search for more can lead to analysis paralysis, where overthinking prevents you from taking action. Oftentimes, intuition is the best weapon we have.
Believe me. You already possess the knowledge and skills necessary to move forward. Trust your intuition and decide based on the information you have at hand.
Embrace the idea that you are enough as you are, and that continuous learning will naturally occur as you progress.
By taking action, you’ll gain valuable experience and insights that no amount of research can substitute. So, write it down so you don't forget:
Execute. Execute. Execute. The simplest and smartest way possible. No one can ignore results.
“As our island of knowledge grows, so does the shore of our ignorance.”
Live Well
You know the saying: "A healthy body is a healthy mind." It may sound like a cliché, but it works. Take care of your most valuable assets - your body and mind.
Holistic well-being is essential for combating self-sabotage. Neglecting your physical, mental, or spiritual health can lead to burnout, stress, and a diminished sense of self-worth.
To maintain balance among these spheres of life, follow these practical steps:
Prioritize exercise: Regular physical activity strengthens the immune system, boosts your mood, improves metabolism, and reduces stress.
Keep a balanced diet: Proper nutrition helps the body to maintain a healthy weight, manage stress, and fuel energy that is needed for a healthy lifestyle.
Have adequate sleep: Having a good night’s sleep maintains both physical and mental health.
Manage stress: Balance your roles and responsibilities. Prioritize tasks and set boundaries. Engage in activities that stimulate your creativity.
Practice mindfulness: Nurture your spirit through relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, breath work or spending time in nature.
Master the basics. Make physical and mental health top priorities. By taking care of yourself, you’ll build resilience and a stronger foundation to tackle challenges.
"Do the basics well. Show up and be consistent. It’s for your well-being, not for others.”
Respect Yourself
Love yourself first. Remember, you're your major client. Treat yourself with the same care, respect, and attention that you would extend to a valued customer.
When we first ensure our own well-being, we enhance our ability to genuinely and effectively love and support those around us.
In a world that glorifies hustle culture and constant productivity, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others and feeling a total unfit.
However, everyone has their own pace, definition and path to success. It's vital to respect your tempo and acknowledge the uniqueness of your personal growth journey.
Here are three tips to make the road smooth:
Set realistic goals: Adjust plans and timelines that align with your skills and circumstances.
Avoid comparison: Your journey is unique. Don't compare your progress with others. It leads to unnecessary stress and self-doubt.
Celebrate your milestones: no matter how minor they may seem. And understand that progress is not always linear.
By respecting yourself and your tempo, you’ll cultivate a healthier and more sustainable approach to achieving goals and a fulfilling life.
"Love your neighbor as yourself. Love what the Lord loves. Learn to give and receive blessings."
Conclusion
Understanding that you can be your own worst enemy is the first step toward breaking free from self-sabotage.
Embrace the journey of self-improvement with patience and compassion, and remember that the path to success is as important as the destination.
Practicing self-care is not a selfish act. It's a fundamental need. When I take care of myself, I am more prepared to take care of others. And vice versa.
When you feel good about yourself, you will consequently be a better person for everyone around you. Think about it. That's all for today.
"We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
Talk to you next week.
Light and peace,
—FMV
PS: Summer is here. Drink water, apply sunscreen, repeat. 🏖🌞😎
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✍️ Written by Fabíola Maia-Veres every Tuesday at 7pm.
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