Ep #17 Words to Keep You Going When You Feel Stuck

What do you say to yourself when you're discouraged? The words we hear on a daily basis determine the direction of our thoughts, and consequently our actions. What we listen to during intense situations carry enough power to stir you away from or into an emotional dungeon.

In this episode, I share some of my favourite quotes, mantras and scriptures that can help you start moving again when you feel stuck.

 

I Am the Captain of My Fate

Not as pompous as it might initially sound, especially if you believe in the superiority of God over your life, this statement is the last sentence in a poem by William Ernest Henley. It was penned during a long and difficult season of his life and is quite a heavy read. The sentence ends with a spirit of resilience and courage, one that recognises that in the end, no matter how challenging life is, we get to decide where our lives are headed and the destination we end up in.

 

This too Shall Pass

A Persian adage and the inspiration for another poem, written by Helen Steiner Rice. I use this poem when I feel stuck in a ditch or marooned to a problem I am unable to separate myself from. This too shall pass is a gentle assurance that like all other problems you have endured in the past, this one, too, shall pass. And you will breathe again. Think about a serious situation that had you frozen some time ago, and you now laugh at. You survived it, didn't you? If you are a female entrepreneur, you are familiar with that feeling of being stuck. This one will get you moving again.

 

Begin Weaving and God Will Provide the Thread

Entrepreneurship is a synonym for risk-taking. You believe in an idea that is visible to you alone, and then you invest time and money into it, expecting it to reap results. The modern-day version is; 'You don’t have to see the whole staircase. You just have to take the first step.' By Martin Luther King Jr. These two sayings are the entrepreneur’s mantra. You know that nothing in life is certain, except death and taxes- they say, so as an entrepreneur, you go out and strike with all your might, prepared to handle the disappointment of zero results. The absence of certainty causes many would-be businesses owners to stand and stall, waiting for a green light. You have to practice this and not merely say it loud. Taking a step when you don’t know where it will lead you to, or not knowing if you have the resources to see a project to the end requires some courage in the absence of the assurance we crave. This is one to memorise too, for those days when you start a new journey in your career which you feel under-qualified or under-experienced for. 

 

Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow You

I use this scripture to unlearn the lie that I had believed that trouble was following me. I chose instead to embrace this truth of being chased by goodness, and not trouble. If you've ever been in a situation where you seem to be encountering back to back problems, this verse will help you unlearn the lie that you are being chased by difficulties. When meditated upon, you will come to understand all about expectations. Rather than pulling down your expectations to meet your current situation, raise them to meet God's promises for you. The power that's found in your vision will pull you in the direction of its fulfilment, but this will only happen when you look up, not down.

 

I Am Not the Custodian of Your Emotions

One of the most freeing mantras that was birthed from my personal experience. Agreeing not to be responsible for the emotions that others display is a game-changer. No one is responsible for your emotions, and you, therefore, are not answerable to theirs'. Not inviting a certain friend or relative to a party? You are not responsible for the feeling of disappointment that will come from not having them over. As women in business, it is important that we don't carry emotionally clutter which will slow us down.

 

What’s holding you back?

 

There are powerful questions that begin a wave of self-awareness and internal change. This is one of them. What’s holding you back? also happens to be the title of a book by Valorie Burton. I happened on this question when I began to recognise that my emotions were driving my actions. This powerful question will help you drill down and get to the root so you can use the power inside you, the one wrapped inside your gift to excel and play bigger.

 

References:

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

This Too Shall Pass by Helen Steiner Rice

Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me

What's Really Holding You Back? by Valorie Burton