Oh my gosh! I had an “a-ha” moment this week! I have to share it with you, because it can create an a-ha moment for you too – one that increases your awareness about why you keep getting into the same types of situations and are therefore getting the same results, when you want something different and better for yourself. So, check this out:
My a-ha moment: “We gravitate toward the familiar – whether it’s a healthy, good experience for us or not.”
By that I mean – if you created defense mechanisms to feel comfortable and safe in your family environment while you were growing up, you may very well create experiences in your personal and professional life now that relive that because that’s what you know, and that’s what feels safe and familiar. And that can be true even if it’s not the healthiest, best experience for you. So if you find yourself reliving the same types of experiences even if you want change – this could very well be why.
For example, if you felt the need to play it small or not be noticed to feel safe or loved in your family environment, you may gravitate toward work situations and relationships now where you’re going to play it small and not be noticed because that’s what you learned is safe and good.
That’s some serious stuff, right?! And you’re likely doing this unconsciously.
Look for the patterns in your life. Do you see yourself in the same type of job situations or relationships again and again – and yet you’re not happy with them? What do they have in common? What beliefs do you have that drew you to these experiences? What about these situations makes you feel safe?
To further the same example, if you’re playing it small, you’ll continue to do so until you become aware or conscious that you’re doing it. Making a shift out of these learned beliefs and behaviors isn’t necessarily easy, but this awareness is a ginormous step forward.
Think about how you’re playing it safe. Ask yourself some honest questions as to why – What beliefs are causing your behavior? How does playing it small keep you safe? How does playing a victim role serve you? You learned these behaviors because they served you well at some point, but they’ll keep you in survival mode instead of thrival mode.
It’s time to take an honest look at yourself so you can reach your full potential – for your own sake and to use your greatest gifts to help others!
Let me know if this blog post created any a-ha moments for you. I’d love to share in the moment!
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