I have been struggling to write lately, and it hurts. I know I have the need to write, I have the desire to write and I have the ability to write...but something has been holding me back. Something has been clogging my brain, I realized what it is...it's the chatter.
I was inspired to write this post by a Twitter chat last night. We have so many amazing people, doing amazing things...but there is still this hesitation...this weariness. They know the need, they have the desire and the ability...but something is holding them back. I have found myself repeating the same phrase, lately...as I often do. But it wasn't until now, that it clicked for me. Something that I have been struggling with, is apparently very common. I have found myself advising others, with what others have been advising me. Tune out the chatter! For me, there are three kinds of chatter: 1) Inner Chatter: This is that little voice that is within you. This voice can be used for good or evil. It depends on what it is saying and what you choose to do with it. More often than not, I have found that people tend to tune into that negative voice. The one that stems from fear. I have written about fear in previous posts, so I will not go into detail here. But this is the one that holds us back from taking risks, from putting ourselves out there, from doing the right thing. Imagine all the great that could be accomplished if we just tuned out that inner chatter. What if we shut it out and just did? 2) Outer Chatter: This is that chatter that you hear from others. Again, it can be used for good or evil. It depends on what is said and what you choose to do with it. More often than not, I have found that people mostly tune into that negative outer chatter. I have written about Newton's third law, before...but I think it is important to remember. For every action, there is an equal and OPPOSITE reaction. Are we going to let those opposing voices dictate our journey? Are we going to let the naysayers hold us back from doing what we feel is right? I know how hard it is...believe me. I have this struggle, constantly. It takes courage. It takes courage to go against what others are saying and keep plugging on. 3) Hybrid Chatter: This is where the two converge. I feel that this is the most threatening of the three. This is where we let that outer chatter influence that inner chatter. WE internalize what is being said on the outside and start to believe it. It takes great strength to prohibit this from happening. So...what is the antidote? I wish I knew, because it sure would make life much easier. I will share with you what I think can help: -Believe in YOUR purpose: If you have confidence in your role, your reason...stay on that path. DO NOT let that chatter detour you. Keep moving forward, despite. Keep that purpose foremost in your mind and just keep your eye on it. Believe in yourself that you are doing good. Unfortunately, there will be that chatter. What keeps me going is the constant reminder that my sole purpose is: Do Good. If that is my sincere reason for my actions and decisions, I owe it to myself and others to keep going. -Reflect: Where is this chatter coming from? Who is this chatter coming from? Why is there chatter? When we can sit back and reflect on these things, we will gain more clarity. Sometimes, we can not line up the dots, we may not understand, it may not make sense...but we have to be ok with that. But at least start asking those questions...it may help. We can only control that Inner Chatter. Try to tune out any negative and focus on the good. On your good work, your good ideas, your good influence. -Flip that switch: Change the chatter. Focus on the positive, within yourself, within others. If it is that outside chatter and you know that you can not change it, don't. Don't even try. Control what you can control. Line yourself up with people that will lift you up, support you and help you to grow and move forward. Also, find those bright spots...they are EVERYWHERE, you just need to look through that lens. -Just do! If you believe in what you are doing. Just do it, and do it well. Do it with confidence. Will it always turn out right? No, but that is ok. Learn from it and keep going. It takes courage to do hard things...but it is important to do those hard things; if it is for the benefit of yourself or others. My best advice (and I need to take my own)- Stay true to you in knowing your purpose. Stay on that path, if it is something that you believe in. DO NOT let that chatter take you down the wrong road.
1 Comment
2/2/2017 01:33:10 pm
New concept: Hybrid Chatter. Never thought about this distractor in this way--although flipping the switch is so essential for maintaining positivism. I think I do that whenever I watch the evening news.
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