My competitors are better than me.- I’m not as smart as my colleagues.
- People won’t want to pay for the services I offer.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking thoughts like this, you’ve been the victim of perceptions you have about yourself that may or may not be true.
“What you’ve been taught to believe can be empowering or disempowering,” says Lisa Layden. At a meeting of solopreneurs, Lisa told the group that we create our lives based on these embedded thoughts. That’s usually not a good thing.
Lisa showed a diagram of the circular Thought-to-Action Cycle, where the beliefs we hold (like “Small business owners never make any money”) that come from our immediate circle feed into our mindsets (“People won’t want to pay for what I offer”). These feed into the emotions we feel (“I’m afraid to charge X”) and our fleeting conscious thoughts (“I’d better not risk it”), which lead to action or inaction (“I can’t charge enough to stay in business”) that reinforces the original belief.
Lisa advised the group to shift our perception of what we can do to teach our brains new beliefs based on abundance.
“We don’t typically challenge our beliefs, but once you start to take them apart, you can see where there might be a situation where they aren’t true,” she said. Just introducing a possibility like “Small businesses can make money” can teach your brain new ways of thinking.
“You create your own reality with your thoughts,” Lisa stressed. “Be aware of yourself and the words you use, like ‘won’t’ or ‘can’t.’ Once you see your beliefs as the illusion they are, you will have more abundance.”
Find out more about Lisa here, where you can also download her free “getting started” guide, Psst…It’s Time to Wake Up. Note that entering your info also subscribes you to her mailing list.
Image: Sira Anamwong and FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
So true. And small successes can lead to more successes. Also, if you don’t ask, you won’t get. I like handling rejection by thinking “It’s not about us, it’s about them.” Staying positive & keeping at it is so vital. We also find giving free samples leads to good things. Finally, I find that as I get older, I’m less intimidated by decision makers. I think of them as about age 22, with a lot more to be nervous about than I do.
Gloria, I agree. Rejection is definitely not about you; it’s often more about confirming this particular person doesn’t need what you offer right now. Thanks for commenting.
Great post Sue. I agree our “inner critics” can be our biggest competitors. Last year I read Toronto author, coach and communicator, Eileen Chadnick’s book Ease. I thought it was really good at helping people identify and confront those inner critics and move to a more positive mindset.
Keep the inspiration and insights coming Sue!
Thanks, MJ! I’ve read some of Eileen’s pieces so will have to check out Ease.
Hi Sue, Thanks so much for your write-up of the presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the group and sharing this information with everyone. 🙂
Oops, apologies for the late reply! Thanks for commenting, and for sharing your wisdom with our group.
Wonderful post Sue and so true – I like what Gloria said, that if you don’t ask you won’t get and staying positive is essential. I’m definitely going to order Lisa’s “Pssst…it’s time to wake up”. Thank you!
Glad you liked it, Ellen!