Coach – abcnews4.com

Happy Friday!
I have this girlfriend called Keisha. Really, she’s more like the frenemy you can’t seem to get rid of…ever! You know, the girl who’s a lot like you but seems bent on criticizing everything you do! “Girl, doesn’t look like you’re getting this promotion!” “Girl, you said that during the departmental meeting, ouch!” Girl this, girl that! And it’s not like you can ignore her calls, or block her on Facebook, for the simple reason that she’s right there…in your head!

We all have our own Keishas, the nagging voice in our heads, especially as corporate sisters, that tells us we’re not qualified enough, not vocal enough, not smart enough, or that we don’t exactly look the par. Keisha is our very own personal inner critic, the sister who tries to make us feel justified, safe and comfortable. Yet, what Keisha really does, is sabotage our efforts, impede our progress, and stand in our way to success, professional or otherwise.

Ever thought you didn’t really deserve that promotion, and thus failed to ask for it? Ever wanted to volunteer for that pilot project at work but refrained to for fear you’d fail at it? Every time you’ve shrunk back in the face of challenges, chances are you were wrestling with your inner critic, your own Keisha. And it may be high time to break up this unhealthy, failing relationship:

1. Check out the competition! If you don’t really know what you’re up against, chances are you won’t know how to fight it. What your innermost thoughts? What patterns of negativity and self-doubt do you give in to? What triggers your negative self-talk? Analyze the voice in your head, and learn to recognize the negative signs before they occur.

2. Stop Thinking, start acting! Overthinking may at times keep you away from opportunities of growth and success. If you’d like to volunteer for this project, go ahead and do it! Thinking you deserve a promotion? Stop thinking, schedule some time with your boss and speak your mind! Just do it!

3. Practice tunnel vision! When it comes to success, focusing on what really matters and eliminating distractions is key! Re-focus on your goals and objectives, and let go of the dead weight and negative voices. It may seem simplistic, yet by calibrating your focus, you can succeed in silencing the self-doubt and minimizing the obstacles in your way.

So yeah, Keisha, it’s been real but time to move on! Girl, bye!

Nene Leakes - pinterest.cM

The Corporate Sis.