The Benefits of Writing Our Wins

Have you talked yourself OUT of something? Like a goal, event, or idea. What if you talked yourself INTO something? And this is the opposite of "Fake it till you make it!" trash talk.

This blog is about how writing our wins every day contributes to a new journey of talking yourself into that goal, event, and idea you have been talking yourself out of for the past three months.

What is your outcome when you choose to talk yourself out of something? For me, two words come to mind; guilt and disappointment. Guilt because I know I gave up too soon or because I have the skills, knowledge, and abilities for this goal/event/idea and choose to walk away from it. Disappointment when I start, give all I have, I mean, all I got, and still get no results. These two emotions are raw and honest to my soul and body, even as I write them in this paragraph. The pain is active; I feel it in my left shoulder.

What are your feelings when you talk yourself OUT of something?

It gets REAL when you write things down. You are putting writing into practice. You own what you write down. Acknowledging your feelings keeps you in the present. I have noticed how quickly we can shift the conversation and add a bunch of butts, sorry, buts to our dreams/events/ideas. I get it; who wants to be seen as someone who gives up, or whatever meaning you give, when you choose to talk yourself OUT of something?

Have you ever talked yourself INTO something?

Most people I speak to look at me like I'm weird and crazy when I ask the question above. And most answers are "No!" or "Nope!" with a little twist in their heads. And I get it; when I heard this question, my body reacted compulsively, "I ain't faking it till I make it!" Like Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory), sarcasm is alien talk. Or maybe you're like Jimmy, my husband, who is a Debbie Downer and naturally critical. Now, after ten years, I embrace it as a strength. My point here, talking yourself into something is a weird and unnatural way to approach that goal, event, or idea you have been procrastinating on since January 1st.

With your pen and paper, I invite you to learn a new way of talking yourself INTO something. Nature calls for an inner critic and imposter syndrome: “Who do you think you are launching that YouTube Channel/business," "No one will respect you." Nature calls for desiring motivation and inspiration: "No one supports me!" "If only my husband worked with me." Today I propose a new way that requires less than 5 minutes daily. That is, writing down your wins. I'm talking about from significant accomplishments, benchmarks, baby steps, to moments in time.

Writing your wins, it's the practice of your Progress.

Reflecting on paper helps me see myself for where I'm at in the journey. It's simple, and it's elegant. Writing my wins down for me is called affirmations. It's what I tell myself along my journey: "I am growing as a writer," "I get angry often when technology is slow," and "I am having more appreciation for my studio set." You see, imposter syndrome and the need for support are natural. I have come to realize that the more I write my wins and read them out loud, the less volume I put on that negative self-talk from my critical nature.

I like to start with baby steps.

Write what is true. I got started with "I am learning." As a former perfectionist, title, and certification meant credibility. And also stuckness, "how can they EVER listen to me" When I wrote learning, it gave me more peace of mind and reminded me that I was currently doing something toward my goal, event, or idea. Please give it practice. Write down what you're now learning. And yes, that is from Dr. Google or YouTube. The resources are out there! What are you learning, my friend?

The next for me when I got stuck in imposter syndrome was "I learned how to ___" This is taking a pinch at the project in front of me. When I was in Marie Forleo's B-School, I felt like a tiny little mouse in the world of entrepreneurship. So I would focus on the one thing I applied to my business. "Today I brainstormed about my ICA (Ideal Client Avatar)," or "I'm getting closer to identifying my ICA!" When I use words like brainstorming or getting closer, I feel honest and proud of my Progress.

 Now it's your turn; what have you applied lately from your research or studies?

Are these exercises getting fun, or what! I'm excited for you. Remember that the secret sauce to the practice of writing wins in repetition. Choose a time of the day when you take less than 5 minutes to write a win. The more wins you read, the less your brain wants to stay in the hostile inner critic. And my friend, this is how I started talking myself INTO something. I'm a lifelong learner and explorer, often in new projects and adventures. When I record my Progress, I grow even faster.

I get to be my support.

I love encouraging and being encouraged, and what I have been finding out is that at the end of the day. Patty talks to Patty, especially at night time. So, when that inner critic wants to talk me OUT of something, "Patty, give up, you're never gonna lose your belly muffin." Then I get that pen and paper and write, "I went for a 20-minute walk even though I wanted to stay home, and now I feel awesome!" I hope you choose this practice!

As always, please leave me your comments and findings. And if you love this blog, please share it with a friend and on social media. #ysuperstarsblog

Love,

Me.