PhotoCredit: FashionWeekJapan
Flipping things on their head is fun. Last week I asked you to apply positivity to something that is not going well in your world. I also asked you to critique something that was going well. I know, I can be mean like that.
This week I have a real doozy for you...turning your worst attribute into your best.
Actually. it's kind of cool as you think about it.
The first bit is a little confronting. So, we will slap a warning label on that part. Step one is to sit down for a few minutes and write out all the negative things you say about yourself. "I'm lazy." "I procrastinate." "I'm not a good speaker." "I don't feel like I belong." "I'm not smart enough."
You know. The usual suspects.
You can do this exercise for the whole list (and I will award bonus gold stars) but I want you to pick out the most glaring one. What's the one that brings up the most fear. What is the standout?
Take that and flip it. Find the strength in your perceived weakness. Figure out how to amplify it and get it working in your favor.
Let's look at not belonging for a second. You feel like an outsider. I totally get how that can feel very isolating and non-grounding. It's like you keep looking for 'home' and nothing every feels quite right. You don't identify with the people around you or the choices they are making. It's like you are doing the opposite to your peer group. You clearly don't want what they want?
Obviously, I think this is an asset. What a tremendous gift that you don't belong. It's possible you are creating the future where you will belong. Or you are thinking about creating the future. Maybe you are building your business or career in stark contrast to the rest of the herd? Bravo. You are making independent decisions that are bound to take you to much more interesting places than the herd.
This is one example of many. If you get stuck, email me yours and I will do the flip for you.
Turning on the channel of negative self-talk comes naturally to all of us but it's nothing short of self-sabotage. Tune into a new station. Dial up your strengths and lean into what sets you apart from the crowd.