What if you discovered your other side? How would you envision it?
I’d imagine it as the antagonist from a horror movie. Though a stark comparison, there are undeniable parallels. Just as lights dim and smiles fade when they appear on the screen, the intruder or negative aspect of your personality casts a shadow of fear and doubt. This inner turmoil, as per human psychology, significantly influences one’s external experiences.
Suppose you’re going through the recruitment process at your dream company. The place looks promising, the people are great, and the initial assessments also went well. Now is the interview stage. You’re ready as ever, but all of a sudden, you hear yourself whispering,
“This is not going to end well.”
“What if you get rejected?”
“You are not qualified enough… give up.”
It’s off-putting—realizing that you don’t even trust yourself even though you made it this far all by yourself. This is what the intruder does. It takes away your ability to shine by filling your mind with baseless doubts and perceptions that end up hampering your personal and professional development.
Why Is There an Intruder in The First Place?
It’s a long process, mainly fueled by a person’s negative interactions, mental health, and past traumas that trigger your mind to create doubtful and unpleasant thoughts about the future and yourself. For example, a student who was never given an opportunity or shut down when sharing their opinion might develop an intrusive counterargument in their head that speaking publicly will cause embarrassment. Similarly, a child who is scolded constantly will resist self-gratification and even develop self-esteem issues.
Intrusive thoughts can originate from anywhere and gradually entrench themselves in your mind, much like any other habit.
Here’s how you can fight it off.
Identify and Question
The first and most important step to rebuilding your self-esteem is to identify the loopholes. Whenever there is an internal force stopping you from doing something beneficial for yourself, question its authenticity immediately. Don’t let the thought linger on too long. When you’re at the interviews, and the intruder says, “You can’t do it.”
Analyze what type of emotion you feel. Are you happy to hear that, or do you feel sad? If you feel sad or angry, then it’s time to prove the intruder wrong.
Words of Affirmation
It’s essential to stay positive when facing the intruder; one weak stance and all your hard work to reach your goal will be ruined. Use words of affirmation and gratification to remind yourself that “I AM CHERISHED AND WORTH EVERY EFFORT.” It helps you gain confidence and feel better about yourself.
The Influence of Memory
Recalling good times plays a crucial role in regaining all the confidence. Actively remembering the past times when you felt confident stimulates your brain activity and happy hormones in the body, which consequently elevates your mood. For instance, think about a time when you achieved a goal, such as getting good grades, helping someone, or helping yourself out of a challenging situation.
Take back control of your life and unleash your inner Maestro! Don’t let the unwanted mental houseguest hold you back any longer. It’s time to break free from self-betrayal and embrace your true potential. Join Rob White as he explains how to reclaim your destiny and live a life that aligns with your authentic self in his book, “The Maestro Monologue.”
