Tips for Overcoming Negative Mindsets

Ever have that moment where you look up from your laptop and think, This is not what I signed up for. You’ve had your head down, working hard, just trying to make it through the days and weeks. Then you stop. Blink. And start saying thinking: How did I end up here? This isn’t what I thought it was going to be. Is this as good as it gets? Is this even what I want? I don’t have any other options. I’ve been there for sure. That line of thinking can make you feel powerless and trapped. Which often leads to not making any changes. To burnout, dread, anxiety, and overwhelm. You end up abdicating your autonomy to your job. There are so many ways you can start making small shifts that add up to a completely different day-to-day emotional experience. Change in the right direction. Some ideas: 1️⃣ Reconnect with your values and goals: Take some time to reflect on what's important to you and what you hope to achieve in your career. It may not be the same as it was when you started out. Once you’ve done that, what needs to change to get in alignment with those values and goals? Start making changes one by one. 2️⃣ Focus on what you can control: It's easy to feel overwhelmed or frustrated by the things that are outside of your control, such as organizational policies and politics, supervisors, colleagues, clients, trends in your industry, or the job market. Instead of focusing on these external factors, focus on the things that you can control, such as your own mindset, work habits, and actions. 3️⃣ Identify areas for growth: It’s possible that you aren’t being challenged enough or that your professional growth has stalled or that you are bored with what you are currently doing. Where can you add or take advantage of some opportunities for growth and development? 4️⃣ Build in time for rest: It’s hard to get unstuck when you are going full speed all. the. time. Start building in some intentional slow downs. Create the space you need to assess your life. 5️⃣ Build relationships and community: When we are overworking, we neglect our need for human connection. Where can you build in more meaningful connection? 6️⃣ Ask yourself this → If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your current job, what would it be? Then, answer this → How can I make that happen without a magic wand? 7️⃣ Get coached. I know what it is like to look up and feel lost about where you are and how you got there. Getting coached helped me make significant changes to the way my life looked and felt (and those tools are still helping me do that every single day). ❔How are you feeling about your job and your life right now?

You know that little voice of self-doubt that tells you you aren’t good enough? The one that clouds your mind with negativity? We all have one — and it’s up to us to take control of it... This week, #TakeBackYourMonday, with these three tips to help you quiet the whispers and kickstart your week with confidence. 🚀 1. 🔇 Identify and Challenge Negative Thoughts: The first step to quieting the whispers is recognizing them. Take a moment each morning to jot down any negative thoughts you have about yourself. Ask yourself: Are these thoughts true? Challenge them with evidence of your strengths and past successes. Remember, you are more than your doubts! 2. 🌱 Practice Positive Affirmations: Replace those whispers with a chorus of positivity! Create a list of affirmations that resonate with you, like "I am capable and strong," or "I am constantly growing and improving." Repeat them daily, especially when you catch yourself falling into negative self-talk. Watch as these affirmations become your new internal dialogue. 3. 🎯 Set Micro-Goals and Celebrate Wins: Silence the whispers by proving them wrong with action! Set small, achievable goals for the week. Each time you reach a milestone, no matter how minor, take a moment to celebrate your progress. These victories, big or small, remind you of your capability and help diminish the power of negativity. 💭Reflect: 1. What is one negative thought you’ve been holding onto, and how can you reframe it positively? 2. How can you incorporate more positive affirmations into your daily routine? 3. What small goal can you set this week to build confidence and counter negative self-talk? This week, embrace your potential, and watch as growth and self-improvement become your new mantra!🌟💪

Throughout my flying career, I was surrounded by the greatest fighter pilots in the world. I felt privileged to learn and fly with them, but I often felt out of my element. As I joined these high performing teams, my inner critic regularly told me I wasn't good enough, which made me hesitate and second-guess how I showed up. Luckily, I learned that self-doubt wasn't a reflection of my potential, but an emotion to acknowledge. Here's what I discovered along the way: 💡 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 - an internal narrative. Once you learn to recognize and challenge these thoughts, you open doors to new possibilities. You'll find yourself taking on challenges you previously thought impossible, leading to: • Increased confidence • Career advancement • A sense of fulfillment 💡 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹. Start by keeping a thought journal for a week: • Write down any negative self-talk you notice. • Look for patterns like "I'm not good enough" or "I'll probably fail." • Challenge these thoughts by looking at the evidence. Often, you'll find these beliefs aren't based on facts. 💡 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. When faced with a challenging task, instead of thinking, "I can't do this," try, "This is a chance to learn something new." • Set small, achievable goals related to the challenge. • Acknowledge small victories. • Seek feedback from trusted colleagues and mentors to gain new perspectives. Remember, just like I learned to trust my abilities in the cockpit, you too can overcome self-doubt. It's a journey, but with each step, you're building the confidence. << What advice would you give for someone dealing with crippling self-doubt? >> ------------------------ Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm a former fighter pilot turned speaker, author, and coach. If you found this helpful, consider reposting ♻️ and follow me for more content like this.