“Yeah, that’s cool and all, but that isn’t for people like you.”, “You don’t have the money to do that.” “That’d be career-self-sabotage.” “Even if you started it, you wouldn’t finish.” “Who are you to think you can do something like this?”
These are all things I was told before even starting my walk across the country. I was told I wasn’t worthy. I was told I wouldn’t make it. I was told I was a fool for thinking it was possible.
You might be thinking these are things a rude uncle, a bully, or an abusive partner said to me- but they aren’t.
All of these are things I told myself.
All of these thoughts are half-truths I told myself. I say half-truth’s because, well, they did have some truth to them! But I also knew these thoughts and voices weren’t REALLY me- they were a part of me, but not me. And they are things I told myself to protect myself.
As you work towards your goals, there’s often an inner voice that whispers doubts and negativity—this is the Sabotaging Voice. It’s that part of you that questions your abilities, magnifies your fears, and tells you that you’re not good enough or that success is out of reach.
The Sabotaging Voice thrives on uncertainty and fear of failure. It’s the voice that makes you hesitate, procrastinate, or even give up before you’ve really started. It feeds on past mistakes and magnifies potential risks, convincing you that staying in your comfort zone is safer than taking action.
To overcome this voice, it’s important to recognize it for what it is: a manifestation of your fears, not an accurate reflection of reality. When you hear this voice, challenge it by focusing on your strengths, past successes, and the reasons why you can achieve your goals.
Remember, the Sabotaging Voice is not the truth—it’s just noise. By acknowledging it and choosing to move forward anyway, you reclaim control over your thoughts and actions, allowing you to stay focused on your path to success.
ACTIVITY:
Begin to notice when the Sabotaging voice comes up for you.
- What does it say?
- What triggers it?
- When does it come up the most for you?
- What is it trying to do for you?
Bonus:
Personify your voice. Give it a name, describe what it “looks like”, and work on a strategy to combat it.