My counselor Eleanor recently said to me, “Mike, if you’re trying to prove something, it means you don’t actually believe it yet.” Her words hit me right between the eyes, as they often do. She was right and as I reflect on certain aspects of my life, I can see that where I’m overly attached to proving myself, it’s because I don’t actually believe in my own skill, talent, or value (i.e. I’m looking for outside validation to “prove” my worth)…maybe you can relate to this?
In this week’s video blog, I talk about this phenomenon and how we can move from “proving” to “believing” in an authentic way.
Check out the video below and feel free to leave a comment here on my blog about it. You can share thoughts, questions, ideas, insights, or anything else that this video inspires.
Dear Mike – I stumbled upon your newest book- “Nothing Changes Until You Do” and I can’t tell you how it already has transformed me. I am a big fan of Lisa Earle McLeod and I read her recent column ( which was based on you and your books and reinventing yourself). I clipped her column and carried it with me in the bottom of my purse and thought that I would someday get to buying your book. (As I am going through a difficult time right now- professionally and figured your book might help me)
Well, that “someday” came on Monday of this week. I didn’t get to really dive into the “meat” of your book until yesterday, as I was sitting in a reception area- waiting to be called into interview for a job.
I can’t count the number of times I have cried reading and re-reading certain aspects of your book (not in the reception area before the interview lol) and how many of your circumstances were similar to what I have experienced in life; on how my way of thinking has sabotaged so many opportunities life has provided for me. Llike you said, “I was always at the scene of the crime”.
Anyway, I just wanted to say “thank you” for being you and for being so candid; vulnerable; and for helping show me the way to a better, richer and fulfilling life by helping me change- because as you said- “Nothing changes until YOU DO!”
I can’t wait to buy your other books- hopefully they are on audio!
Thank you for being such an inspiration! Have a wonderful day!!!!
Your fan,
Mary Beth Jacobs
Buffalo, New York
Thank you Mary Beth – I appreciate you picking up a copy of my new book and letting me know that it touched you as much as it has! I am sending you blessings as you navigate through what you are navigating through right now. Be kind to yourself!
Hi Mike; one of the things i like best about you is how you don’t pretend to have all the answers. You obviously battle the same gremlins the rest of us do. and we all have had that sense of wanting to prove we belong whether it be in a pier group or on the big stage like you were last week. People have been encouraging me to share more of my story, so i started a second blog this week. I was pleased with the number of people mostly friends who visited and left comments. I am writing for the enjoyment. it turned out to be more fun than i thought it would. and if anything comes out of it, that would b even nicer. looking forward to your next post. thanks and take care, max
Thanks for your post and kind words…keep sharing your story!