GETTING TO KNOW YOUR GREMLIN
I’m taking a day off. After four straight days of yoga I’m taking a break. When I was in class there were two things going on. The first was the actual class and being conscious of what I was doing physically with the asanas and the breath.
The second was the mental chatter about what I was doing. My mind went rampant…I didn’t want to be here….yes, I really didn’t need to come today…are we near the end of the class? Why is this class two hours long? What difference does it make I’m on vacation.
I was committed to doing it. I had the mental chatter but it didn’t stop me. I think that is what gets in the way of our living the life we want. Not only does the mental chatter get in the way but it stops us.
Just recognize that mental chatter. In coaching we call it our gremlin. I like to give my gremlin a name. I call mine “Ralph.” Your gremlin is that voice that says, “You can’t do it or it won’t work or that you are not good enough.” Or it might be some version of the above. It’s not going to go away.
In my own life, Ralph is a frequent visitor and sometimes wants to run my life. Sometime I let him but usually I say hello and do what I intended. So, yes Ralph is still there but he’s not running my life.
I’ve learned to make peace with Ralph and not try to pretend that he isn’t there. But listening and telling him that it’s going to be all right seems to get me back in the direction that I intended.
In one of his poems, the mystic poet, Rumi, refers to these visitors as guests. Welcome them…there not going anywhere.
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JOURNEY ON
MARK
JOURNEY ON is a blog dedicated to personal and professional development. Mark Susnow, an executive and life coach, inspires others to experience more fulfillment and success in their life. A former trial attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. He also publishes, Letters on Life, an inspirational ezine. His articles reflect this journey in an inspirational and motivational way. http://www.inspirepossibility.com