If you have ever been told that your goal or dream is “crazy” or met with skepticism, this post is for you. Run a 100 mile race?! Break a school record?! Win a National Championship?! You get the idea. Skeptics are everywhere. At their best, they inspire you to prove them wrong. At their worst, they put doubts in your doubts and erode your self-confidence.
I am here to tell you that you are not living in a fantasy world or foolish for trying. In fact, I might consider you to be courageous, vulnerable, and/or gritty. And all of these attributes may be necessary components for your successes.
In addition, you’ll likely tap into mindset skills that increase the likelihood of you bringing your best self every day. Some of these skills include staying motivated and disciplined (and knowing the difference); taking the long view; believing in your mission; and developing self-confidence in your ability to get there.
The above mentioned skills are internal, intentional, and largely under our control. In my decades of experience working with extraordinary people to achieve their goals, however, what I see that often keeps people from reaching the next level is their ability to deal with external pressures, such as time constraints, lack of resources, and social influences.
Here are few tips to better manage these pressures:
Find your tribe. Social connectedness through social media and groups makes this more possible than ever before. You might find people from around the world offering logistical tips and support that were harder to come by just a generation ago.
Share your vision, whether you are with people who “get it” or don’t. Communicate in a way that shares your excitement and exudes confidence in your plan. The more you share and normalize it, the less resistance you may be met with. And the more you learn that skeptics are a distraction, the easier it becomes to give less weight to your critics.
Lastly, talk to someone who really gets it. A sport and performance psychologist may be a helpful resource for you as you tap into your desire to be extraordinary. To learn more about how to create the mindset and environment to help you thrive, visit Work It Out Consulting @ www.drmichellejoshua.com.
