The 1 Secret Key to Personal Freedom
On Becoming a Non-Drifter
“If you hear a voice inside your head that says ‘you cannot paint,´then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” - Vincent Van Gogh
Recently I asked one of my clients “What physical goal do you want to achieve in 2021?” My client answered, “Finishing an Ultramarathon.”
As thrilled as I am for my client, I couldn’t help to suddenly call my very own physical goals into question.
There was a time I was putting in the miles to train for marathons but lately, I seem to have found a lot of comfort running my regular 5 k’s.
The mind-chatter goes something like this…
Running long distance no longer is for you
It’s OK to stand down.
It’s OK to back off
What does your Mind Chatter sound like??
I’ve been fooled.
This voice is a liar.
It’s a saboteur.
It’s the voice that makes you think that it has got your best interest in mind. But really, it doesn’t. It’s the voice that pretends to keep you safe and intents to keep you small.
You see, this voice acts as a defense mechanism for the ego.
It gives an out - a place to run to.
A place of sympathy and amnesty, where all can be forgiven. Where failures gather together in comfort and drown their sorrows in lies and deception.
They tell each other- and they tell me: “You did the best you could…”
And so this voice tells me: It’s OK to no longer pursue long-distance running, It’s OK to give up.
BUT I no longer want to accept that. I am no longer OK to follow the commands of that voice. I’m no longer OK to accept surrender and defeat.
With my fists clenched. Toward the struggle. Ready to dig a little deeper. To push a little harder. To get after it.
In that defining moment, the mind-chatter goes something like this…
“Are you sure, you had a solid flow, why change it?”
“Oh but it’s raining, remember that last marathon you were running in the rain? It’s no fun, maybe wait till tomorrow?”
“Not sure if you got enough sleep, are you sure you’re feeling rested enough today?”
Does your inner critic stalk you too?
So this morning while thanking my inner critic for its safeguarding, I tied my running shoes, spoke out the goal, and put the playlist on full blast.
And just like that, I broke the pattern that held me hostage these past 10 months. I transformed the regular 5k into a 12k shattering any past imposed limitations.
Why am I telling you this story?
Because I want to help you identify your inner critic, so you can recognize it with more ease when it speaks up. So you too can separate yourself from its voice and make a choice: do I want to take direction from this irrational, fearful part of me – or not?
Where in your life is that voice still sweet-talking you into playing small?
If you’d like to dig deeper…
Nothing in life is permanent. And our ability to grow in strength, power & will, while juggling the ‘daily’ – takes practice.
Don’t let your mind control you. Control your mind. And then you can set it free.
Every week, every day – I’m here to help you flow through life with clarity, strength, and power. To create space for you to explore your shadows and dance with them in your own bright light.
I am rooting for you, and appreciate you! Have a sweet & soulful week. 💛
~ @louiseheite, Founder, LifeActivated, Coaching High-Achievers
THERE ARE THREE RULES:
1. If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it.
2. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no.
3. If you do not step forward, you will remain in the same place.