Making changes in life is something people often make excuses for. However, letting those excuses prevent you from making important changes can impact you in negative ways. It’s time to uncross those fingers behind your back and be honest with yourself. Here are 10 common lies to stop telling yourself, and what you can do instead.
1. I’m not him/her
People tend to compare themselves to others who have already made the change they are contemplating. This can affect the way you perceive yourself and your outcome. It also won’t help you to achieve your goal. Rather, try to think of who you are comparing yourself to as proof that it can be done. Have the “If they can do it, so can I” mentality.
2. I’m comfortable with what I have or where I am in life
That’s great, but don’t let this prevent you from making a life change. If you were comfortable in this stage of life, then you can be comfortable in the next. Instead, try to think, “I’m comfortable here, so let me push myself to be comfortable doing something else.” This will also allow you to expand your horizons.
3. I can do it later
Procrastination is the killer of ambition. It’s that simple. This lie can affect you by allowing you to put it off over and over again. Whenever you start to use this excuse think, “I can do it now!” Why not get it done now and move on to the next thing life will surely throw at you?
4. I don’t know how
This statement is true about almost everything in life. At some point you had to learn. Consider driving; when you were younger you didn’t know how to drive. Then when you were old enough, you had to be taught the rules and how to drive a car. Now, you probably can’t imagine not knowing how to drive. Use this as inspiration and think, “I can learn how.”
5. It’s not that important
This is a huge lie! This is your life, and a potentially big change for your life–of course it’s important! It might just be one of the most important changes in your life, but you won’t know if you don’t do it. Anything and everything that has to do with you is a priority. Think, “It’s my life, and it’s important.” This couldn’t be more true.
6. I’m afraid to fail
Failure is scary. Everyone is afraid to fail, and this is normal. This affects you by leading you to believe you will not succeed. You are giving this change a negative stigma before you even make the change. Instead, think, “What if I succeed?” Putting a positive light on the situation will help you to conquer the change.
7. I don’t want to get hurt
This one usually involves relationships. It’s hard to start something new when you are holding back. You could feel this way because of something that happened in your past, or something you witnessed someone close to you go through. This lie could potentially prevent you from developing a great relationship. Try to let the past be the past, and give it a chance–it could be well worth it. Think, “I won’t know if I don’t try.”
8. I won’t be in control
Having control of a situation is really important to some people. Losing their control of a situation could be frightening. If you are one of those individuals, then this could be holding you back. If you don’t have control then someone else does, and you should try to trust them. If you trust them and know that they have your best interests at heart, then there is no reason why anything bad should happen. In a sense, you have decided they have the control, and that should ease your mind. Think, “I trust them.”
9. I don’t like change
This might be the biggest lie that is holding you back. This affects you by not allowing you to grow or develop by exploring new things. Change can be scary and not everyone enjoys it, but it is a part of growing and maturing. We can’t stay the same forever. Think, “Change is good.” It can open you to a world of new experiences and opportunities
10. I don’t have the time
If you let it, this lie could prevent you from ever making the change, or taking the chance. It affects you by allowing you to put it off. If you don’t have time now, then when will you? Instead, think, “This is important, and I need to make time for it.” Sometimes you just need to change the way you think about something. Noting that the change is important and you need to make time for it, will encourage you to actually do it.
Featured photo credit: Girl Enjoying View in Adrspach Rocks via picjumbo.com
