What stories do you tell yourself that hold you back from achieving fulfilment?  

Perhaps you want to achieve something at work or in your business but worry about what people will think of you for going for it. If you want a promotion, do you worry about being accepted at that next level? Will people think you’re out of your depth to even apply? Will you be seen as the skilled professional you are, or will you be dismissed out of hand?  

Thoughts like this can hold you back from taking the next step.   

We worry about how the people around us will perceive us – and when we do that, it holds us back from having the impact we can make through our professional services on the people who really need it.  

Many moons ago it was suggested that I apply to become a Justice of the Peace. I was working within the juvenile justice and care systems at...

How often do you compare yourself to someone else, only to find yourself lacking?

Maybe someone, or everyone, seems to be more clever or successful than you, to be clearer on what they want out of life and better at working towards it, to have the personality or style you’d like to have?

How can you turn those comparisons around so that you can be more proud to be you?

Of course, we all have our down-days when we slip into ‘it’s alright for them’ thoughts, but how can you raise your self-esteem and to remind yourself of how capable and competent you are?

These things can help:

• List all your skills and strengths. Read it aloud. Add to it.
• Re-read testimonials; recall positive comments made about you.
• Remember what friends and family value about you.

What would you say to a friend who was self-critical? Say that to yourself.