The Weekend Bite™ Part 2, January 2017

 

Hello Friends, it's been a great January so far. So we've gotten some clarity on what we want to achieve and we've started pursuing our goals. However, what do we do when we experience doubts about our plans or dreams or just don't believe in ourselves anymore? This one's called #selfdoubt

Self-doubt entails uncertainties or disbelief in one's self, abilities or dreams. It can also involve a lack of self-confidence. We've all experienced this at one time or the other and it's even more difficult when you are about to take a big step. The beginning of the year is a bad time to feel self-doubt because you'll have no enthusiasm or drive to push yourself throughout the year, if you are unable to overcome it. 

So how do you deal with this?

First, identify the source of your doubts. Is it because you don't get positive feedback from others? Is it because you've had a few failures in that area or just because you don't think you are strong enough to follow through? Are your doubts about your appearance, the way people see you or what they say about you? Are there internal or external  factors that contribute to these doubts?

 
The problem with doubts is that if they are not tackled, they keep growing and eventually knock you down. So the next step is dealing with your doubts. Don't let your failures or issues make you lose faith in your capabilities. The fact that you failed yesterday doesn't mean you can't excel today. Instead of doubting yourself, turn that energy around and encourage yourself to improve. Separate the unfavourable event from your person, deduce any relevant lessons, and see yourself as able to succeed. Likewise, don't be discouraged by lack of positive feedback or by what people say. Even if no one believes in you, you should believe in yourself. Even if no one commends you, keep going, keep doing what you're meant to, and keep pursuing your dreams. Many people may be influenced by you and may not say it. Don't let the negative message of haters or the absence of likes or comments on a message you put out there discourage or derail you from your purpose journey. Keep encouraging yourself and keep going!

Lastly, have a positive confession system and environment. If your doubts say you are not strong, smart, beautiful or good enough; you need to tell yourself that you are. Keep your mind positive and your body will follow suit. I still remember some words from a movie called 'The Help'. The maid constantly told a little girl who was abused by her mother these words "You is kind, You is smart, You is important". Those words definitely helped her build her confidence despite what her mother did to tear it apart. Not everyone has a good support system. If your environment is filled with negative people who constantly speak ill-words over you, you may need to reposition yourself. Listen to positive messages and confessions. Write them down and paste them by your mirror. Look at yourself and say with all your heart that you are great, beautiful and capable; you can do anything you set your mind to. 

When the doubts come calling, send them on a one-way journey to the abyss. Never let them define you or keep you from being who you are meant to be. You are able and I believe in you! You've gotta believe in yourself too!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, January 2017.

Excerpts From The Weekend Bite™ is available bi-weekly on Twitter via @lolawilliams02

The Weekend Bite™ Part 1, January 2017

Hello and welcome to your year of greater honour, open doors, upliftment and harvest. We're set to inspire you with words of wisdom this year and with encouragement to get you through life and to come out triumphant. This is the Weekend Bite™ and this one is called #clarity.

#Clarity signifies being coherent, intelligible and certain. It is a state of being significantly aware of yourself, a situation or thing. 

The start of a new year is a great time to establish clarity and certainty about what you want to achieve that year. Without a clear vision in mind, you won't be able to set accurate goals or measure your progress over time. 

So how do you get clarity? 

First, clear up your mind and space. It's hard to get any clarity if your life is filled with  distractions or chaos. If you're involved in too many activities that aren't adding value or you don't have any time to yourself to reflect, then you're likely to burn out or lose your sense of direction and self awareness. You may have to withdraw from your usual activities to go on a retreat or vacation. The important thing is having that space and time to do some undisturbed thinking.

Once you've cleared up your space, do some meditation and collect your thoughts. Think about the past, what you were able to achieve and where or why you failed. Think about your desired future. Visualise where you want to be at a certain point in time or what you would like to achieve by the end of the year.

Now it's time to draw up your goals. Ascertain the best route to get you to your desired destination. It may be easier to write down short term goals and execution strategies now that you have a clear defined vision of where you want to be. Remember, keep it short, simple and measurable. Create a system of regular checks to ensure you're on track at different points in the year. You can have short-term goals which you can measure daily, weekly or monthly. These goals will create a path that will lead you to your long-term goal or vision and guide you throughout the year.

Write those goals down and paste them somewhere you can see every time you wake up in the morning. This will ensure that you keep your eyes fixed on them. If you're more of a technology person, you can set reminders on your phone and set up daily tasks which will help prompt you on what you need to do.  Remember to keep yourself positive and focused, no matter the distractions or challenges you are faced with during the year. That's the only way to ensure that you do not lose site of your vision and that you come out victorious.

You can fulfill your dreams and become all that you want to be this year. It's important to get it right from the beginning to give you the best shot at succeeding. Go get your clarity today!

All the best this year!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, January 2017.

Excerpts From The Weekend Bite™ is available bi-weekly on Twitter via @lolawilliams02