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We humans are complex things. Much of our motivation towards success,
however we define it, comes from the stories we tell ourselves in response to our
fears and doubts or stories we were told by others like parents, teachers, and
childhood friends. Ultimately we start believing those stories and they become
part of us. Some of these stories give us the ability to accomplish great things,
but many, unfortunately, are self-limiting, demotivating, and downright wrong.
They may limit us throughout our lives. In some cases they actually cripple us.
It takes courage to start the process of changing the self-limiting cycle ofour beliefs. Often we start that process by telling ourselves another story: “I’m
getting organized.” “I’m stopping smoking.” “I’m working at following through.”
Those are good, “present tense” stories. They tell that I am “in the process of”
doing something. Realize that, as long as we are “in the process of” doing
something, we have not yet done it. The action that I am working on is yet to be
accomplished. Those “in the process of” statements work to remind ourselves of
the battle we are fighting to change and help us get past our self-limiting habits
but “present tense” (I’m in the process of) statements can only take us so far
because, lurking just under the surface of our “working on” statement is the
temptation to become demotivated and quit.
To get over the hump, we have to change the tense of our story and put our
self imposed limits in the past.
“I AM organized.” “I HAVE QUIT smoking.” “I AM tenacious in following-up.” When
we change the tense to past tense the battle with our self-limitations is over,
done, fini, accomplished. The weight of self-imposed, self-limiting habits is lifted.
The world is a such a brighter place just by changing the tense.
however we define it, comes from the stories we tell ourselves in response to our
fears and doubts or stories we were told by others like parents, teachers, and
childhood friends. Ultimately we start believing those stories and they become
part of us. Some of these stories give us the ability to accomplish great things,
but many, unfortunately, are self-limiting, demotivating, and downright wrong.
They may limit us throughout our lives. In some cases they actually cripple us.
 | Tell me I’m lazy enough times and I’ll believe I’m lazy. | |
| Tell me I’m shy enough times and I’ll believe I’m shy. | |
| Tell me I can’t sing enough times and I’ll stop singing. | |
| Tell me I’m a procrastinator enough times and I’ll procrastinate. |
It takes courage to start the process of changing the self-limiting cycle of
getting organized.” “I’m stopping smoking.” “I’m working at following through.”
Those are good, “present tense” stories. They tell that I am “in the process of”
doing something. Realize that, as long as we are “in the process of” doing
something, we have not yet done it. The action that I am working on is yet to be
accomplished. Those “in the process of” statements work to remind ourselves of
the battle we are fighting to change and help us get past our self-limiting habits
but “present tense” (I’m in the process of) statements can only take us so far
because, lurking just under the surface of our “working on” statement is the
temptation to become demotivated and quit.
To get over the hump, we have to change the tense of our story and put our
self imposed limits in the past.
“I AM organized.” “I HAVE QUIT smoking.” “I AM tenacious in following-up.” When
we change the tense to past tense the battle with our self-limitations is over,
done, fini, accomplished. The weight of self-imposed, self-limiting habits is lifted.
The world is a such a brighter place just by changing the tense.
| 2007 February Article - by Larry Galler Change Tense and Stop Self-limiting |
| Simplified Strategies that Increase Business Success! 619.287.2822 |
| 619.287.2822 |
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Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals,
and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday
since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler" For a free
coaching session, email Larry for an appointment - Larry@larrygaller.com. Sign up for
his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com
and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday
since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler" For a free
coaching session, email Larry for an appointment - Larry@larrygaller.com. Sign up for
his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com
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