Could you be wrong about this?

Someone said this, this week and it stopped me in my tracks- literally!

I stopped walking and just stood there on the street

Passers-by thought I was mad

This simple question was the most illuminating question I have heard in years!

It rocked my world!

What happens when you ask “could you be wrong about this?”

Have you ever had a time when you are thinking about an issue, say promotion at work and within what seems like an instant you have decided not to go for the promotion. You are adamant that you will not get it?

Its not that you just think it ……you truly BELIEVE you will not get it and so why bother?

Your brain, as fast as lightning, has recognised that this promotion is a threat to your wellbeing.

After all its a step up, doing things that your boss currently does and you cannot possibly do it as well as them, and then there is all the training, managing colleagues, longer commute etc etc.

Basically, there are too many threats. Threats to your wellbeing, physical and psychological. Therefore, your brain surmises in a fraction of a second that this would not be a good thing. So, it gets you to believe that you would not get that promotion so why bother?

Your brain is trying to keep you SAFE.

It is not there to put you off, stop you from achieving great things or become the person you have always wanted to become- just as long as you are SAFE.

Here is the issue:

For us to grow, achieve great things and become the person we have always wanted to be there sometimes needs to be discomfort and a weeny bit of threat!

Getting out of your comfort zone is…. well, uncomfortable and threatening!

BUT the question “could you be wrong about this?” just makes your brain stop and regroup.

It gives your brain an instruction to go and find the evidence that you could be wrong about this, not the evidence of why you would not get the promotion.

Basically, this question sends your brain a nudge and gives it a cup of tea to have a sit down for a reconsideration all at once.

All of a sudden that promotion might be worth considering after all….

What things in your life do you think you have been/are wrong about and what happened?

If you have beliefs that are stopping you and you would like to see where your mind is keeping you “safe” come and have a chat with me at The Professionals Coach. I would love to speak to you!