Do you consider yourself a lucky person? Do you attribute the good things and successes that come your way to luck?
When I was working with a therapist early in my career as a talent agent, I would tell her, “You know, I guess I’m just lucky. The promotions and other synchro-tastic events just seem to find me. Right place; right time.”
She asked, “Do you work hard?”
I said, “Of course, and I have for years.”
She responded, “I know, so why do you keep attributing your success to luck.”
When I started to dig deep into the “why” of minimizing my accomplishments, I discovered I was afraid to succeed.
I was afraid to admit that I had accomplished something on my own merit.
As the youngest of four sisters, I was unconsciously afraid of surpassing them and thereby potentially losing their love, affection, attention, and acceptance. If I played it off as luck or did not make a big deal of it, they would not feel threatened. So I thought.
Once I gained clarity about this behavior, which, let’s face it, doesn’t feel good, I stopped. It feels crappy because it’s disingenuous. It’s simply not true. I was creating a web of lies in an effort to make myself small and not hurt anyone else’s feelings. I was not living my truth and owning my life.
Denying what is real by dimming your light also robs you of the joy of gratitude. How can you be grateful for something you are not willing to recognize?
I wonder if you do the same. Do you play the luck card or minimize your accomplishments or skill set out of fear? If so, in what areas of your life do you find yourself doing this? Do you know why you do this? If you have overcome this issue, how did you do it? How do you continue to keep yourself on track?
This week, I want to challenge you to own your accomplishments and step into your power. Resist the urge to play small or reject authentic praise out of false humility. See how it feels to own your life, since you are the only one who can!
I hope you have a powerful week and, as always, take care of you.
Love Love Love
Terri
Terri Cole is a licensed psychotherapist, transformation coach, and an expert at turning fear into freedom. Sign up for Terri’s weekly Tune Up Tips and follow her on Twitter.
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