Heck, even a “life” coach can get a little lost at times.
A few months back, I found myself wondering…
Am I on the right path?
Questioning our path isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It can lead to validation, inspiration or a new, more appropriate path.
On the flip side, questioning our path can also lead to a state of debilitating doubt.
And I was stuck – unequivocally stuck – until I remembered the wise words of one of my mentors.
Our circumstances don’t cause suffering. WE create suffering with our thinking.
It was time to get to the bottom of my doubt.
When we feel a little lost, our first inclination is usually to blame the path we’re on.
Maybe I need to move to Argentina.
Or become a chef.
Or sell it all and travel the country in a Winnebago.
Sometimes a radical change in our path is exactly what we need – but making big decisions while feeling emotionally charged will usually lead to a negative result. Most of the time, we’re simply trying to escape the real issue – and the real issue will pack itself in our suitcase and follow us to Argentina.
It was time to get clear on what was causing my doubt before making any big decisions. I suspected an underlying toxic thought was the culprit, so I scheduled a self-coaching session with myself and got to work.
Step #1 – Find the Emotion
How was I feeling?
- Stuck
- Not enough
- Wishy-washy
Step #2 – Identify the Thought
What was I thinking that was causing me to feel these emotions?
In that moment of reflection, I discovered the three poisonous words behind my doubt and suffering.
I NEED MORE.
Yikes. What a big, fat lie!
The good news – if I can cause suffering with my thinking, I can also undo suffering with my thinking.
It was time to find a new thought to replace the lie I had bought into.
Step #3 – Create a New Feeling
How do I want to feel?
- Sure
- Satisfied
- Grateful
Step #4 – Find a New Thought
What new thought will create these desired feelings?
I have everything I need.
Do I believe this thought?
Oh yes, I believe it!
Our minds are capable of creating misery. We think thousands of thoughts each day. Plenty of them are true, while many others are lies.
When we believe the lies, we can cause ourselves great pain.
That’s what I did. And I’ll do it again. And so will you.
Next time you find yourself paralyzed by doubt or fear or worry, look for the lie.
Because you don’t have to believe everything you think.
~XO Robyn