Haven't you paid your dues by now? You have worked extremely hard, putting your nose to the grindstone devotedly. When you put your head on the pillow at night it feels like you have just completed a full body skid into home plate after running the bases all day long. You have big dreams, but sometimes it seems like life just gets in the way and days, even months, go by with little or no momentum toward the life you planned for yourself. There was a time in my life that I felt like this too. No matter how hard I worked, I just kept running along the gerbil wheel of life and just could not, for the life of me, jump off it. Then one day, it all changed. What I finally realized was that my life wasn't moving along the path I had planned because of one tiny word that had slinked silently into my vocabulary, hiding out unnoticed, infesting my life for the worse.
But.
But, she's smarter, prettier, stronger than me.
But, my competition has more money than I do.
But, I was never that good in school.
But, there are at least 100 other people applying for that job.
But, I am too young (or too old).
But, it has never been done.
Are you infested by "buts?" It is such a tiny word. It comes across as neutral, non-threatening, simple. "But" is cunning. "But" is the destroyer of dreams. Like the devil, "but" is always on your shoulder silently waiting to offer you an excuse as to why you cannot do something. "But" limits you. It steals your greatest visions. "But" wants you to know that you cannot be, do, and have anything in the world you want, and it offers you the reasons why. "But" is the doubt, fear, and coward in you. Destroy "but" and your dreams are yours for the taking.
If you have had enough of the status quot; If you are ready for something bigger and better; If you are ready to grab onto your dreams for dear life; you must jettison the infestation of buts. Here's how:
Step One: Become conscious of the "buts" so you may eradicate them.
Step Two: Affirmations. Upon waking up each morning say to yourself, "I can be, do, and have anything in the world. I am humbled by the opportunity that surrounds me. Today I will move forward toward my dreams for the benefit of me, my family, and the community." Repeat this again before bed.
Step Three: Replace "but" with "so what?"
So what?
She's smarter, prettier, stronger than me. So what?
My competition has more money than I do. So what?
I was never that good in school. So what?
There are at least 100 other people applying for that job. So what?
I am too young (or too old). So what?
It has never been done. So what?
Step Four: Take the 21 day But Free Challenge. Research suggests that it takes 21 days to create a new habit. For the next 21 days, where a rubber band on your wrist. When you catch yourself limiting your life with a "but," snap the rubber band, move it to your other wrist, and start the 21 days process all over again.
Discover your hidden talents. Turn fear into confidence. Unlock your potential. All that stands between you and your greatest destiny are three little letters. Don't worry, you can take them.