Imagine the version of yourself that does everything they say they will do.  The version that’s willing to take a risk, and not care what others think.  That is a powerful person.  That is someone focused on their goal and doesn’t allow outside influences or distractions to alter the course.  That is someone who understands time and knows how to break down tasks.  Someone who keeps their word, especially to themselves exhibits a discipline few have but we are all capable of.  I know this because I spent decades of my life in victim mode, complaining that everyone else was the cause of my misery or misfortune.  It took me at least two decades to realize that the reason I wasn’t getting anywhere was two fold: I struggled to make a decision and I rarely followed through when I did.  I couldn’t decide because the options were overwhelming and I didn’t want to miss out.  I couldn’t follow through because I was easily distracted or I’d think it wasn’t working too soon—the moment I felt something was off I’d get scared and give up.

I see now that part of that was also conditioning to the pressure of society where if I didn’t meet their standards I was a failure, and the other part was biological/chemical.  Society makes people believe if they aren’t perfect then they aren’t worthy or their venture isn’t worthy so I’d jump ship really quick to go back to what I knew.  Then there was the anxiety and depression I couldn’t control.  As soon as I’d give up (for a legitimate reason or not) I’d spiral into hating myself.  That mentality is a huge step back for anyone trying to reach a goal.  But I’ve learned to flip that around.  Instead of feeling like a failure, I’ve learned to see that it’s an opportunity for evaluating and deciding differently.  I don’t have to be quick to dismiss anything, I can choose again and that choice is to approach from a different angle or to let it go—because there are times when things aren’t for us and letting go is the best option.  But if we decide to keep going and we see it through, that reward is infinitely greater than stopping.

I want to touch on the power aspect of this again.  Psychologically, when we complete tasks we get a dopamine rush.  When we continue a task that has proved challenging and we see that through, it’s even greater.  The point of a challenge is to expand and expansion is the goal of life overall—we are meant to create space.  The more we rise to the challenge, the more expansive life becomes because there are more options.  The other part of completing a difficult task is establishing trust in our abilities.  We learn how to accomplish certain things and we know we are able to do more and we can build on that and create new things beyond that as well.  As I’ve said in other pieces, it isn’t about power over other people, it’s about power over our minds and actions to create, to take what is in our minds and make it real.  We have the ability to become entirely different people by making different decisions.  Committing to ourselves and our vision, seeing it through, is what makes that happen.  Trust for ourselves means we are more discerning in our choices and where we spend our energy so being someone who sees things through is important.  Imagine what life would look like if we all saw things through.  Then start with ourselves.