When you fail to achieve a goal or establish a habit, what barriers are most likely preventing your forward progress? Who or what is standing in your way?
Often, it is our own mindset that gets in the way most. We might think of ourselves as failures or not up to the task.
We may fall short of letting others know of our goals and avoid inviting them into a support network nor allow them to hold us accountable.
We may allow our first mistake to derail us rather than picking ourselves up with grace and learning to adapt and move on.
Let’s look at how we can successfully overcome these barriers and believe in our capabilities. Today’s post will explore principles of habit formation that build a support system that includes us as team captain.
To be successful, you must believe you can achieve.
How do you describe yourself in relation to your goal or desired habit? Do you identify as a winner who is well on the way to achievement? Or, do you identify as a hopeless loser?
How we view ourselves is key to our success. If we view ourselves as winners, we are more likely to succeed and achieve our goals and master our habits. If we view ourselves as losers, it may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Affirmations that create a positive self-image and self-confidence are considered positive self-talk. I am capable, I am creative, I am brave, I am __________ (fill in with the word that will motivate you in the right direction).
We become who we identify ourselves to be. Create the identity you desire. Believe you can achieve and you will. You are capable.
To be successful, allow others to support you and hold you accountable.
Do you allow others to know about your goals or the habits you are working on? Or, do you keep your aspirations to yourself? When we allow others to support us and hold us accountable, we are more likely to achieve success. The simple act of speaking our goals to others makes us more accountable to ourselves as well as others.
Choose people to support you that will honestly, yet kindly, assess your progress and provide not only encouragement but correction, if needed, in a supportive manner. Coaches and mentors can serve in this role as well as friends, family members, and colleagues. You are capable.
To be successful, you must be able to adapt and move on.
Sayings such as, “we all make mistakes” are so common we may cease to acknowledge their truth. We do. We all make mistakes and the difference between success and failure can amount to whether we learn from our mistakes, adjust, and move forward, or we don’t.
Flexibility is key. Plan A may need to become Plan B. We may need to try a new approach or simply buckle down and follow the original one more consistently.
We need to be willing to forgive ourselves for our mistakes as well as those of others. Grudges are rarely if ever helpful.
Ask, “what went wrong and why?” Get feedback on the answer to this question from others. Be open to listening, learning, and lean into taking a new direction if necessary. You are capable.
Your turn to take steps to build your success team
It’s time to create a success team. You are the captain. Who will you invite to support you?
What will be your team slogan? Craft an affirmation that motivates you. Memorize it.
When will you check in with your team to assess your progress and make adjustments to your plan? Put the date in your schedule.
You are capable. Believe it.
In our next post, we will explore the importance of gaining clarity on your why – what motivates you to act.
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale
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