top of page

SOS BOOK Chapter 31: What blocks our personal growth?



IT’S COMMON TO DOUBT OUR PROGRESS.

Sometimes we glimpse the benefit of transforming our life. But then doubts or fears start to arise! We start questioning whether we will really succeed. Is it worth the effort? What problems will result? This is how our ego starts to undermine our success!

…Have you noticed yourself doubting or questioning your progress?


OUR DOUBT, FEAR & CYNICISM CAN SURFACE.

We might doubt that personal transformation is worth the effort or risk involved. Or we don’t believe we could actually achieve this. We might feel we are not worthy! We might not trust our ability, or the process itself. Instead, we might focus on the potential problems!


We might then become uncertain, anxious, angry or even cynical! This again is our ego at work, trying to discourage us. This fear & doubt can block our progress. This can at times be a difficult hurdle to overcome!


But remember that doubt is a natural and necessary part of the transformation process. Questioning is a healthy sign of free-will. Each time you recommit after a moment of doubt, you send a strong positive signal to yourself and the universe.


A FIRM CONVICTION HELPS COUNTER DOUBTS!

To help overcome doubts, consider the consequences of NOT changing our life. This would just guarantee more dissatisfaction and suffering. We just cause more damage to ourselves.


Giving up on our transformation would invite further decline, disorder & disease! It guarantees further emptiness & unfulfillment. Understanding the consequences of the alternatives will strengthen our conviction. This is a helpful and balanced way to overcome doubt.

WE MUST FEEL WORTHY OF BENEFICIAL CHANGE!

There are other traps or pitfalls at this critical early stage of transformation. Another trap is that the ego can take advantage of our lack of self-worth. Our self-worth is the valuation we have of ourselves. In order to transform, we must feel worthy of the benefits this process will bring. Yet, so often, our upbringing & social conditioning has lowered our self-esteem.


We tend to push away success because we don’t feel we deserve it. So, on our journey of transformation, we might need to address our self-worth too!

…Do you feel that you are worthy of positive change?


OUR PRIDE CAN BE USED AGAINST US BY OUR EGO!

Another early trap is the fear of failure. We fear the embarrassment of failing. So, we may not fully commit to changing our lives. We do this to protect ourselves from the disappointment or loss of image. But remember that such concepts cannot really harm us. Our ‘failure’ is just a mental construct held by the ego.


We still benefit from the experience, even if it didn’t result in success. Plus we learn more with every attempt. So, there is no ‘real’ failure. We also grow in courage & wisdom by overcoming unfounded fears. Each time we proceed despite these unhelpful fears, we weaken our ego’s power.


STRONG MOTIVATION CAN BREAK OLD HABITS.

It’s not always easy to break free of old habits and overcome our ego. This takes some effort and perseverance! So, we must have enough motivation to persist through the change. It’s important to lock in sufficient motivation to change! What else can help with that? It helps to have a dream!

…Are you building your motivation to break old habits?


WE WILL REGRET NOT ATTEMPTING OUR DREAM.

Not all dreams will be fulfilled, and that’s ok. Often the journey is just as rewarding as the destination. However, we certainly will have lasting regret if we don’t even attempt our dreams. Our life passion, dream or deep desire is a great motivator. Giving this a try is much better than not starting at all! Otherwise, we risk being unfulfilled in life as well as at our death.

…Will you choose a life of passion & purpose?


NO-ONE WANTS TO DIE UNFULFILLED.

Consider again the alternative of not changing ourselves. If we don’t even try to change, our life will just fill up with more of the same. This means ongoing dissatisfaction and a pervasive emptiness. It’s just inevitable! We generate more disappointment, frustration and disillusionment.


Our chronic suffering will slowly build! This will slowly worsen from disappointment to despair and depression. Then eventually to disorder & disease. Will we continue to deny our painful reality? Will we keep distracting ourselves from the truth? This will certainly lead to some crisis, or some disaster. And eventually to the final D-word, our death. Is this what we really want for ourselves?

…Are you worried you might die unhappy and unfulfilled?


Commenti


bottom of page