What self-limiting story have you been telling yourself that might actually be a skill waiting to grow?
Because of my podcasting at conferences, I regularly spend time with very smart people who do a lot of public speaking. Many of them are excellent presenters, but when you get to know them, you realise that almost all of them used to be totally petrified of (and not very good at) it.
Is being disorganised a personality trait?
I used to be a very disorganised person. (Ask any nurse who worked with me in my early vet career!). I’m more of a creative green “personality type”. Structured thinking bored me. I put “personality type” in inverted commas because I don’t know if that’s actually a thing.
However, the work I do now requires that I learn how to create and implement systems and structures if I want to get anything done. Now that I’ve learnt how to do it, I’ve become a total nerd for systems. I LOVE creating a structured plan.
Commonly held, but most likely to be untrue…
Here are some other commonly held but likely untrue stories that you’ll hear people tell others (and themselves):
- I’m not a runner.
- I’m no good with money.
- Surgery is not my thing.
- I’m a conflict-avoider.
- Technology and I don’t mix.
- I’m not creative.
Somewhere in your past, there’s an experience or an emotion that is at the root of that story. But it’s still a story. What you actually have is a lack of skill, not an inherent deficiency.
You can learn money management. Anyone can get comfortable with public speaking. The spinal surgeon’s hands probably shook the first time she did a stitch-up.
Don’t mistake your lack of skill for a personality trait.
What self-limiting story have you been telling yourself that might just be a skill waiting to be developed?
This content first appeared in The Vet Vault 3.2.1 email 21/3/2025
