Introduction
Each and every one of us wishes to live a happy, fruitful life of value and meaning. Then why are we not able to do just that given the fact that we are complete, unique and perfect. Maybe we have a mental block?
A mental block is an uncontrollable suppression or repression of painful or unwanted thoughts/memories. It can also be an inability to continue or complete a train of thought or inability to focus. This could also not be something we are aware of though many people around us can see it. We are simply not able to see it and wonder what others are speaking about. It is a fact that each and everyone of us has these block- small or big.
Obviously, this can be a major limiting factor in our limitless possibilities. Getting aware that there are mental blocks stopping us to the extent they exist, understanding the possible genesis of these, identifying them, deciding for sure to get rid and finally getting rid of them. This would give us the freedom to grow and flourish in our life to reach our destiny.
While I am not an expert on human behaviour and have not taken any formal training/ qualification, I have been doing a bit of research and soul searching on my unexplainable resistance for logically right actions. Looked at limitations imposed by ourselves, voluntarily or involuntarily which could come in the way of our living an empowered life. Some time spent on the subject has led to thoughts on possibly a way out which I share.
Possible Indications
- Inability to concentrate
- Mental fatigue and frustration
- Recurring negative thoughts – I always do this, why did I ever accept this responsibility
- Similar disempowering results in various facets(areas) of life including profession like selective forgetfulness even at times of important aspects
- Recurring limiting behavior like getting angry for small things
- Getting stuck to a way of thinking or position taken
- Overthinking and spending too much time than it deserves
- Too many jobs undone at times just before completion abandoned- increasing over time
- Procrastination has become a habit
- Several more…
These indicators may be limiting each and every one of us in reaching our dreams and goals to varying degrees. If not much may be reading the rest of the article maybe superfluous.
Genesis – Possible Reasons
- We are all conditioned (in our subconscious mind) by the events and experiences many of which could be those in our infancy or childhood. Events which are not even in our memory though the impact has been there all the time.
The subconscious mind is 100s of times as powerful as the conscious mind which know / tells us what to do. It is our belief system developed over years/ decades. Change your beliefs and you can change your life is a popular advice from motivational speakers.
- When doing some project or initiative, we come across temptations to our desires (smell, taste, feeling etc.) which stops us and if not controlled becomes a habit.
Today the TV, social media have added to manipulate our mind and take us into an entertainment spiral/ abyss. A temptation which is very difficult to ignore until it becomes an obsession.
- Heaviness in body and mind induces sleepiness, lack of energy, loss of velocity in life. Have we got imprisoned by our own self?
- Restlessness by continued worrying about everything in the future and dwelling on the failures of the past. The monkey in the mind has become uncontrolled.
- Indecisiveness and eternal doubt of results leading to getting lost in unending thinking and what if and what if not questions which results in stopping any initiative the moment we get to a roadblock or road hump!
- Built up ill will on the world at large for giving us a hard deal. Every or many situations, many people or many objects bring distaste and negative feeling to us. Could be due to a) above.
Is it time to change?
- Are you fed up with the state of affairs, events, yourself?
- Have you had enough of this nonsense (conscious will tell you this)?
- Are you ready to climb the difficult mountain path chosen by you?
If all the above are a resounding YES. Then you are ready to take charge of your life. If not then may be wait for that stage?
Possible Solutions
With willingness to move out of comfort zone, courage and perseverance (relentless movement decision) to focus this mountain can be climbed easily or at least bit by bit. Some possible tips to make the journey hastened and successful could be as under:
- We can start with letting go/ getting rid of the excess baggage which has become a shackle and weight which is not enabling us to move forward. This can be done by identifying the “baggage” maybe by writing down the challenges, introspection and that which is already known and looking at how that is impacting us. Accepting the event, empathising with the person concerned, getting convinced that the story is much more layers of untrue validation could be the 1st step.
Getting past that would require some amount of courage and accepting that everyone has failures and one can learn from them rather than getting drowned in self-pity. Telling oneself that everyone makes mistakes which is a fact( even the biggest achievers are known to have made mistakes several times)
- Move out of comfort zone after understanding how it is holding us back. (Google for example)
- Questioning the stereotypes and conditioning of the social media and past. Being fat and unhealthy is an OK state has been endorsed by the food product companies for their advantage. Clarity on this truth could help.
- Replacing the limiting belief with empowering thoughts with conviction could be a vital step. If required at this stage the support from a trusted friend/ family members or coach can be an idea to be considered.
- When looking at the solution getting to be granular and specific with time and quantity and a structure could help. Taking small steps and the low hanging action would encourage one to go on take up the challenging one with more confidence and vigour.
- The supporting actions for the above to be successful could be:
- written deliberate gratitude to the universe for the blessing being enjoyed;
- written deliberate gratitude to all those around. If possible sharing that with them - experience indicates this can break barriers and get all of them rooting for you;
- your understanding the immense potential you have to be your better self;
- journaling the victories
- journaling the failures; in case of adverse results- learn and go ahead with alternatives (maybe a need to think out of the box);
- visualisation of the wonderful result at the end or in between;
- written visible affirmation at strategic places to reinforce the result;
- avoiding the naysayer/ negative people- preferring the ones who are positive.
- Schedule reasonably and if missed- relook and reschedule- do not drop at any cost
Hope the collation of my understanding will help in you reaching your dreams and goals and being an empowered professional, empowering other to reach their potential. All the best.