Are Your Thoughts Holding You Back?
In a recent conversation with one of my coaching clients, we talked about those little negative voices that pop in our heads from time to time.
We’re all human, and we may occasionally be affected by them.
Do you listen?
Do you believe those thoughts?
These are the voices that say to you:
I’m not enough
I didn’t do that correctly
They may not be happy with my work
That fundraising event might fail
The donor may say no if I ask them for a gift
Notice when those thoughts occur
Think of it like the dial on an old-fashioned radio. You hear the voice, and then you turn the dial down rather than listen to that noise.
It’s ok to notice that voice, and then redirect it, turn it down, and shut it off.
How can you turn it down?
The first step to turning down that voice is to acknowledge that it pops up occasionally. If you step back, you might spot a pattern of when and where it pops up.
Maybe that voice appears when you’re trying something new, or when you doubt yourself or your fundraising or leadership skills.
As you think back, do you recall any situations where that voice appeared?
Turn down the dial on the negative
With practice, you can get better at turning up the positive voice and quieting the negative one.
The next time that negative voice appears, ask yourself if what it’s saying is 100% true. That negativity might just be a story you’re telling yourself, a story that isn’t 100% accurate. I bet you can find evidence of something positive. That donor may say no, but they said yes the last time you asked them for a gift.
Turn your thoughts in the direction you want to go, toward the things you do well, your successes, and the tasks where you excel. Practice looking for and noticing your successes. The more you look for them, the more you will find them. I use the Notes feature on my phone to make lists of things, including things that have gone well this month. I encourage you to do the same, or to write a short post in your journal and list some of your successes last month.
Turn up the dial on the positive
What went well for you last week?
Which new skill have you learned in the past year?
How did you connect with a donor in a meaningful way last month?
Focusing on the direction you want to go and away from the negative thoughts and situations is how you turn up the dial on your positive thoughts and find more peace, joy, and satisfaction in your work.
📧Email me if you want to turn up that positivity dial even more.
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Let’s develop an effective fundraising plan, boost the performance of your team, ensure your organization’s sustainability, and overcome your leadership challenges by examining your mindset now. Contact me today!