Are You Sabotaging Your Own Dreams?

Introduction

Are you talking yourself out of your own dreams? Recently, I had a conversation with a powerful leader on the brink of signing a coaching agreement with me. By the end of the day, they'd talked themselves out of it. In the morning, they were excited. By evening, they convinced themselves it wasn't the right time due to gray areas in their work situation and other priorities. Sound familiar?

We All Do It

Reflecting on this, I realized we all do this. We all have dreams, big and small, but often we sabotage ourselves. We avoid facing our fears or discomfort head-on and instead find reasons to delay or give up. I've done it countless times. I'll get inspired, set a goal, and by the end of the week, I talk myself out of it.

Common Excuses We Use

Here are some of the reasons I use to talk myself out of my dreams — chances are you're doing the same:

1. I'll Do It Tomorrow

- This is my favorite. A one-day delay seems harmless, but it keeps happening until "tomorrow" never comes.

2. I've Done Enough For Today

- Around 3 PM or 4 PM, I often decide I've done enough and give up more important tasks for the day.

3. Other Stuff Is More Important

- I set priorities in the morning but allow other tasks to take precedence by evening.

4. This Is Beyond Me

- I start with bold dreams but quickly retreat into self-doubt, thinking, "Who am I kidding?"

5. I'm Too Tired and Exhausted

- On Fridays or at the end of the day, I use physical or emotional exhaustion as an excuse.

6. Tomorrow Will Be A Better Day

- I convince myself that everything will be better tomorrow but never act today.

Find Your Reasons

Reflect on these reasons and listen to yourself. Identify where you're talking yourself out of your dreams. Assess the cost of not pursuing what could truly light up your life.

What I Do Instead: Create Routines

Since I know this tendency, I created routines to stick to my dreams:

1. Weekly Routine: Self-Reflection

- I reserve an hour every Friday for self-reflection.

2. Weekly Routine: Planning

- Every Monday, I plan my week.

3. Daily Routine: Goal Writing

- Each morning, I spend 15 minutes writing my goals and declarations.

These routines are non-negotiable. They’re fixed in my calendar and practiced, no matter what. Even if I miss a few practices, I don't overthink it — I simply get back to them.

This Is Not About Willpower

Getting back to routines doesn’t require willpower. You used your willpower when you created the routine. If you miss some practices, it's okay. Just come back to them freely, from a place of choice, not compulsion.

Your Life, Your Dreams

Remember, this is your life and your dreams. Choose from freedom, not force. Notice when you talk yourself out of your dreams and return to your practices by choice. Until next time, keep choosing leadership and have fun.

Conclusion

Whether you recognize the excuses or have different ones, the pattern is universal. By defining clear routines and committing to them, you can overcome self-sabotage. The journey towards your dreams becomes less about avoiding discomfort and more about consistent, deliberate actions.

So, are you talking yourself out of your own dreams? It's time to change that narrative. Keep choosing your dreams and watch how life unfolds in exciting new ways.