What If It’s Not True?

When I was in high school I went shopping with my sister and tried on a hat. When I showed it to her she told me in no uncertain terms I didn't look good in it.

I didn't wear hats for over 20 years after that.

Because I took her thought about how I looked in one hat one time and made it mean I couldn't wear any kind of hat ever.

You've probably done this too. Taken something someone said to you or something that happened once and adopted it as the absolute truth of the Universe. About something that has a bigger impact on your life than hats.

And you're likely using whatever it is to limit yourself.

By telling yourself you can't...

Find time for yourself

Start the project

Get the promotion

Find something or someone better

Achieve the goal

Live your dream

Try again

But what if the “fact” about you isn't true at all?

Maybe it was at one time, but isn't anymore. Or maybe it never was. (My sister swears she only meant that particular hat with the haircut I had at the time. Not all hats forever the way I interpreted it.)

It's time to evaluate and challenge those ideas you're carrying about yourself.

To do this, ask:

• What evidence do I have this isn't true?

• What has changed since I started believing this about me?

• What else could be true instead?

Which allows you to open up to the possibility you actually can do the things you've been telling yourself you can't.