How to turn over-thinking into self worth(ing)

Overachieving, a sense of imminent failure and self-devaluation are common signs of impostor syndrome. These habits also make you over-work and burn-out, while also making it harder to realistically assess your competence and skills. In other words: You constantly think you are falling short or on the brink of failure, when you actually are excelling.

Feeling inadequate would put most people in a constant state of striving, stress and imbalance. So, that’s why the solution to impostor syndrome is NOT to over-work but to trust in your self-worth.

Resourcing self-worth from within means cultivating healthy and realistic ways to evaluate yourself instead of relying on others’ unrealistic expectations. Authentic self-worth means that we are not only confident in our decisions but that we TRUST in our ability to manage and successfully navigate life’s challenges.

Because TRUST is less of an emotion and more a choice, we have to choose to cultivate it through our habits. Below are 10 Steps that will help you look within yourself for guidance, intuition and solutions instead of only relying on external influences.

10 Steps to Turn Over-Thinking into Self-Worthing

1. Morning Practice — If your thoughts are racing when you wake up . Put your feet on the floor and get out of bed. Then, do something for yourself 1st thing in the morning (ie. journaling, meditation, reading for fun or exercise), even if it’s just for 5 minutes.
2. Identify 1–3 priorities for the day and the week. Discern what is most IMPORTANT to YOU from those things that are URGENT for others. Prioritize according to your values, goals and needs.
3. Turn Procrastination into Action: Identify the emotion you have about the task at hand. Then, break the task down into smaller steps until you find ONE thing you are motivated to do now.
4. Keep 3 Lists:

• A list of things You Know You Absolutely Must or Need to Do
• A list of things You Need to “Figure out” or “Get Help With”
• A list of Emotions You Have Presently. (Use/google an “emotion Wheel”)

5. Self-Regulate: Learn the signs of anxiety and stress. Find a way that works for you to calm yourself down when you are triggered or anxious BEFORE trying to problem-solve or resolve an issue.

6. In Moments of Self-Doubt:

• Ask Yourself What Else Could Be True?
• Talk to yourself objectively as if you were having a convo. with a loved one.
• Talk out loud or write down the convo.

7. Trust Your Body: Consistently find new ways to challenge yourself physically. (ie exercise, dance, movement, physical labor). Second, try body scanning if you get overwhelmed with thoughts.

8. Self-Validate -Consistently validate your emotions AND also THINK rationally about your challenges. Bonus Action– Practice speaking your truth with others.

9. Before Bed: Make a list of “EVIDENCE” that your life is moving in the direction you desire. (And Why this matters to you or is important).

10. Practice Letting Go: Be cognizant of what you can and cannot control. Create a habit of Handing Things Over to a Higher Power (e.g. prayer, a “God-Box” or using the mantra OHM)

About Michell Stanley:

Psychotherapist/Life Coach/Yoga Teacher

Alleviating symptoms of stress is only the 1st stage of wellness. Once you feel calm and confident, your perspective on what you truly desire will become clear.

My holistic approach shows people how to get more Balance, Connection and Trust in themselves in order to heal from the past, open to presence and reinvent their future.

@michell.stanley (IG)

Create a Consistent Meditation Practice in only 5-Minutes a Day: https://mokshaliving.kartra.com/page/meditation

Michell@MokshaLiving.org