Let your achievements shout down your self doubt - try this now!

Self doubt has got to be one of the biggest reasons we don't achieve as much as we would like in life & in business.


Reflecting on my own life, I can see that if I'd doubted myself less and believed in myself more I could have achieved so much by now! So annoying!


While it's important to learn from the past, dwelling on the 'should's & 'could's' is not a good motivator because it gives us a gloomy sense of all the things we've NOT done - a feeling of disappointment in ourselves. For example I felt so frustrated working in accounts for years, never quite knowing how to escape it. I often used to think to myself "If I'd just believed in myself when I was 18 I would have pursued a career as a writer or a psychologist & wouldn't be in this position!!" (back in the days before I'd even realised I wanted to be a coach!)


Thinking like that usually only added to my feeling that I was powerless to change my situation. It gave me such a feeling of "why bother?!"...so I often ended up just sticking with the status quo, doubting that I could do any better.


There is such a positive side to doing a bit of reflecting though - it can be powerful! You just have to know how to do it in the right way so that you can use it to motivate, energise & invigorate you!


So how do you do that? Try this:


Grab some paper & write down a list of all the achievements you can think of that you've made in your life so far. There's no limits on what you should write - put anything & everything that feels significant to you.


Here's some of the things that would go into my list:

• Relocated from Scotland to the south coast of England with parents & brother when I was 13 (the move was obviously my parent's decision, but it gave me a ton of personal challenges to overcome - and those were very much my own achievements!)
• Walked away from my 1st love when I was 19 because I knew he was never going to commit to being with me (it broke my heart & it took me years to recover, but I've always felt proud of myself for finding the strength to do it because I knew deep down it was the right thing)
• Gave a loving home to a gorgeous big massive tabby cat called Barney who was 13 years old, grumpy, swipey & with multiple health conditions . He had been returned to the cat rescue centre more than once by owners who couldn't cope with him. Barney & I only had 2.5 years together before he passed away, but I treasure my memories, he was a blessing.
• Qualified myself to AAT Intermediate level in my early 20's even though I felt like a square peg in a round hole while working in accounts.
• Ended a 4 year relationship when I was 27, just 2 months before we were due to get married. I loved him, but I was no longer in love & I realised that long term we didn't bring out the best in each other. The 5 years that followed the break up were the hardest I've ever experienced.
• Taught myself how to use Adobe Illustrator & Adobe Photoshop then created my own designs & made them into a range of greetings cards, keyrings & magnets!
• Visited New York alone! One of the best things I've ever done!!
• Did a 5 night road trip alone, around the UK where I stayed in a different hotel each night. Saw a rainbow over Loch Lommond - what a highlight!
• Got myself on match.com at 31 & met my amazing husband!
• Had my 2 beautiful children who teach me more about life every day!

I could go on & on but I won't...once I start talking about a love of excel spreadsheets & naming all my beloved hamsters from the past it get very VERY dull!


Hopefully my list has inspired you to think of all the things you have achieved!


Once you've written down every achievement you can think of, stop & reflect on everything you've just listed.


Here's some questions for you to reflect on:

• How do you feel looking back at everything you've achieved?
• How would you describe yourself - the person - that achieved all those things?
• Who did you have to be, to be able to achieve those things?
• What skills or qualities did you have to draw on to achieve those things?
• If you draw on those same skills or qualities again, what could you achieve today / this week / this month / this year?

Has this exercise left you feeling like you could achieve more? Great! Harness the power of that feeling and consider what you could do today to get you one step closer towards your next achievement!


This exercise is very similar to one I work through with my coaching clients. It feels incredible to read your own personal achievements list - out loud - knowing your coach is there celebrating every little detail with you! ( I know because I've done the exercise with my coach!). As a coach I'm here to champion you and remind you that you are wonderful just as you are. Not only that, you have everything you need to achieve those big dreams, within you right now, you just have to be reminded of how to tap into your own strength and find your glow! Learn more about working with me at www.fireflyheartcoaching.com or reply to this email if you'd like to chat!


With love,

Nikki x