Success isn’t based on what you are capable of. Success is based on what YOU BELIEVE you are capable of.
This year the theme for #IWD is #BreakTheBias.
A great theme for us to self-reflect on the biases we hold against others and those others hold against us. Most biases are unconscious – we don’t even realise that we have them.
So here is a thought – what about the unconscious bias we hold against our own selves?
There is a little saboteur in all of us – that voice in our head telling us how we really are not good enough!
This undermining voice inside us is no coincidence – it is our unconscious bias, set in because of years of conditioning.
The words that condition us are everywhere!!!
- Do better at school
- Work harder and improve your job prospects
- Cultivate hobbies
- Have a passion
- Look good – become fit!
The list is endless….
Of course, all these words are used with love and care by those around us.
But unfortunately – that is not how our brain processes these words – our brain thinks “I am not good enough – I need to do better”. We start focussing all our energy on improving and fixing ourselves.
What if for a minute we were to stop and say “I am good enough. If I make a mistake, the world will not explode – I will be able to forward fix and get some learnings for next time – my self-improvement will continue through the natural growth process. I am actually good enough.”
Test it – close your eyes and say it with conviction and belief. Do you feel a weight lift off your shoulder? Did the world explode?
If you practice it enough, that annoying voice in your head will subside, you will start seeing the unconscious biases you have been carrying against your own self and start discovering your strengths. This discovery will give you a new toolkit to tackle other people’s biases.
So, which of your strengths are you going to take ownership of first?
Start focussing on them and acknowledging each one. This acknowledgement will build your belief in yourself – the belief you need to be successful. Because if you don’t believe in your strengths and capability, you will not know how to use it to your benefit.
Success isn’t based on what you are capable of. Success is based on what YOU BELIEVE you are capable of.
Like they say – “Charity begins at home” #BreakTheBias and be kind to yourself.