A wise woman once told me: “You are better than you think you are; you can do more than you think you can.”
I think what she said has relevance to today’s prompt from Five Minutes in the Morning.
Write down five things that you think you can’t do and the reasons why you think it is so. For example: I can’t apply for that job, I don’t meet all the criteria.
If that quote is true – and I think it is – then what exactly is stopping you from doing all that you want to do? Is it a legitimate block, or is it just a limitation you’ve imposed upon yourself?
Next, rewrite the list, and instead of listing a reason why you can’t do something, write down a reason why you can. For example: I can apply for that job, because I have most of the skills they’re looking for.
Changing the format from negativity can clear the blockage and start the flow of positivity.
Reread this rewritten list – aloud if you can – and see how you feel, being mindful of all the sensations going on in your body.
I want to reiterate that I didn’t particularly care for this prompt at first because it focuses on what I can’t do, on negativity. But the aim is to flip the script, so here’s what I wrote:
I can’t be patient because of the anxiety.
I can’t learn new things because I’m lazy.
I can’t sing because I don’t like the sound of my voice.
I can’t charge for spiritual services because I don’t value my own divinity.
I can’t find the time to read all the books I want because of other obligations.
I can be patient because I’m learning to feed my anxiety demons.
I can learn new things because I’m driven to learn.
I can sing because it’s just a matter of concentration & trusting my voice to find the right notes.
I can charge for my spiritual services because money is an exchange of value, & if I provide value then of course I should charge.
I can find time to read all the books I want when I give up the obligations that no longer benefit me.
What are some of the things you wrote down? How did it feel changing them from negative to positive? Let me know in the comments below!