At the end of 2023 I was full of hopes and dreams of what was going to be an exciting 2024…..only it didn’t end up quite as planned.
On New Year’s Eve our house flooded. 5 days later we put my beautiful 90-year-old Dad into care and my son had an accident and wrecked his car. Not being able to get any accommodation (due to the time of year), along with having to stay with family for weeks, nearly broke me.
In the clean-up following the flood, I found a card from a program I had been to and it was one of the things that kept me going. It reminded me that the narrative we construct in our minds has a profound influence on our behaviour and our lives.
‘The Most Powerful Force I Have Is What I Say to Myself and What I Believe.’
This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the essence of personal empowerment and the key to unlocking one’s full potential. The incredible power of self-talk and belief systems can shape our reality and drive success in various facets of life.
The Internal Dialogue: Shaping Our Reality
The conversations we have with ourselves, often referred to as self-talk, serve as the building blocks of our mindset. Whether we’re navigating challenges in our businesses, with clients or our families, the language we use internally can either propel us forward or hinder our progress.
Consider this: when faced with a difficult decision, do you find yourself embracing a positive and solution-focused approach, or does self-doubt and negativity creep in?
Recognising and reshaping our internal dialogue is the first step towards harnessing the most powerful force we possess.
Belief Systems: The Foundation of Success
Our beliefs act as the blueprint for our actions and decisions. As a family therapist and leadership consultant, I’ve witnessed the profound impact that belief systems have on individuals and organisations alike. When we truly believe in our abilities, we radiate confidence, inspire others, and navigate challenges with resilience.
Conversely, limiting beliefs can act as invisible barriers, constraining our potential and hindering growth. Identifying and challenging these beliefs is crucial for personal and professional development, enabling us to rewrite the narrative and unleash our true capabilities.
Discovering The Truth
So how can we actively seek to gather the power within our self-talk and belief systems and use them to drive success no matter what the situation, even a flood?
- Awareness and curiosity: Reflecting on your internal self-talk and beliefs. Getting to know the patterns of negative self-talk and challenging limiting beliefs to create a more empowering story.
- Everything is energy: Noticing the energy you bring to a situation i.e., low, closed and blaming or high, open, and thriving. Knowing that your energy can attract or repel people and opportunities creates choice in how you show up.
- Judgement or curiosity: Reflecting on your inner critic and self-judgement. Observing the patterns of judgement and criticism or the willingness to take ownership with curiosity and solutions.
For me the reframe – This is a disaster, I have nothing, and I can’t cope with it!
To – It’s a great opportunity to clear out what’s not really important to me and I’ve got everything inside me to be able to thrive in this time.
In the realm of business, family and life, the most powerful force we possess is indeed what we say to ourselves and what we believe. By embracing the transformative potential of positive self-talk and empowering belief systems, we not only elevate our own journey but also inspire and uplift those we work with.
