Overcome “woe is me” thinking 💭
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Do you often feel like bad luck follows you around? 🌩️ You're certainly in good company.
Let me tell you about Deirdre, a former executive coaching client of mine. Despite being a highly skilled director with countless achievements, she often chose to focus on setbacks—a delayed project, a disagreement, or a critical comment from her boss.
An exasperated sigh followed by the words "Why does this always happen to me?" was so common in our meetings that it seemed like her mantra.
Each week, we would highlight this pattern in her thinking. She eventually recognized that by focusing on her work life's negative aspects, she was in a cycle of "woe is me" thinking. The good news? This realization was a turning point for her.
The "woe is me" mindset can be a real trap, sapping your energy and undermining your confidence and resilience. Studies from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology show that seeing ourselves as perpetual victims can lead to a spiral of negative thoughts, depression, and anxiety, reducing our overall well-being.
It's also difficult to see solutions or take proactive steps toward improvement when we cast ourselves as permanent passengers on the “struggle bus”. 🚌
Have you ever caught yourself in a similar cycle? Try these transformative techniques to change the channel on this type of thinking.
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Quick Confidence Tips to Overcome "Woe is Me" Thinking:
Overcoming "woe is me" thinking isn’t about ignoring the challenges you face but about reframing your perspective to empower yourself. Remember, confidence is built one positive thought and action at a time. Next time you find yourself slipping into "woe is me" thinking, take a step back, reassess, and choose to focus on what you can control and improve. You have the power to change your narrative.
I hope these tips help you shift your perspective and build your self-confidence. Until next time, stay strong and keep believing in yourself!
What situation in your life could use a positive reframe to focus on solutions rather than problems? Share your thoughts below!
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Social Worker I am neither a recruiter nor owner of corporate house for any recruitment.Retired from job in 2004
3moWhen we develope confidence in self after years of learning then we become successful to take quick and correct decisions .
Marketing Manager, RapidSoft Solutions
3moIn my culture, there is a phrase "There is nothing a Mexican won't laugh about, including death!" It seems excessive but it builds a realistic outlook of life. Bad things will happen, no matter what you do. Some will be slightly bad, and others will be knee-bending, gut-wrenching, terrible. So, you have to learn to cope with them all in a way that you are not a "victim" to life but a true "fighter." And once you've "fought" it, you can then look back and literally smile at yourself because you won! Then you may be able to laugh at that which didn't stand a chance against you. 😉 These 3 suggestions are definitely key to getting there!
CEO-VP Client Solutions Executive Search | Interim, Fractional, Direct Hire | Executive Coach | Leadership Advisory | "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" Helen Keller
3moSelena Rezvani (she/her) Volunteer: " It allows you to step outside your own life, gain perspective, experience empathy, and right-size your own problems. " 100% this works either volunteering or finding a job that helps serve others with challenges much bigger than your own. Thank you!
Rosemary Hood DVM Emerita
3moSituational, context ... all that stuff, reality-testing, so what!