I very recently slid down into the ‘not enough’ vortex. When I checked in with my thoughts, I discovered a plethora of quite critical, self-improvement agendas happening up in my head.
If this is you, you may have success with this very quick way to feel and DO better!
A Thought Inventory
Sit down, right now in fact! And do a brain dump. Write out every thought you can catch in your head. No editing. No judging. The beginning might just be your grocery list and errands you have to run today, but if you keep going, and stay honest, you’ll probably get to the underneath thought layers and you may be surprised.
Now Follow Those Thoughts to Your Feelings
You’ve probably read this a thousand times or more. But it bears repeating because our persistent negative thoughts, unfortunately, keep repeating. Our thoughts produce feelings! If you’re anything like me, the underneath thoughts are ones of not doing enough, not doing things right and fears of what may or may not happen in my future. These were the thoughts causing my feelings of irritability and making me shrink from participating in my life. Read your thought list. Check in with your feelings.
Make Another List
I made a list of things that I’m doing right. I amazed myself with how awesome I am! Not bragging. Ok. Bragging. And why not?? If we’re going to entertain the ‘not enough’ thoughts, then we should be able to give the doing good thoughts at least the same air time.
Go ahead. Make your list. What are you doing right? Go. Write!
Check in. How do you feel now?
Forgive Yourself Relentlessly
Of course, we can always improve! I’m all about growth and expansion. As long as the improving doesn’t spiral down into ‘not enough-ness,’ like it did/does for me. For those times that you mess up or don’t measure up to the standard you’ve set for yourself, forgive yourself relentlessly! I took this line from Glennon Doyle. When a person on her social media feed asked her how she can get over her, sometimes spectacular mess ups!, Glennon said she forgave herself relentlessly, and we should too. Forgiveness/atonement is an inside job. When we are compassionate toward ourselves, we realize we are human. Wonderfully imperfect, perfect humans. This translates directly into compassion toward others. Another awesome feeling/action.
With my ‘things I’m doing right’ list, I got my ‘mojo’ back. I believe in myself again and it’s caused me to be better to myself and others.
Wonderful things happen when we feel good about ourselves. Better thoughts lead to better feelings which lead to better actions. Simple as that.
With your new focus on how awesome you are doing and the great feelings that brings, act on those feelings. Do something fun, kind, loving for yourself and/or someone else.
Send me an email telling me what you’re doing right!
Certified Martha Beck Life Coach
What Now Life Coaching
www.whatnowlifecoaching.com