I Can't Change...That's Just The Way I Am!

When I worked in Corporate America years ago, I had a terrible boss (as many of you have). He would say all of the politically correct things about wanting "feedback," but when you told him something constructive about his management style, he'd reliably say, "That's just the way I am."

What a communication killer and conversation ender! What he was really saying: "I believe this is a quality I cannot change, and I have no intention of putting any effort toward changing it."

One of the biggest lessons of my life has been that my own limiting beliefs are what hold me back. Here are some of the limiting beliefs I have heard from our members and clients over the years:

• "I'm just not an organized person."
• "I'll never get control of this mess."
• "Organizing is a battle I'll never win."
• "I'm a messy person... It's just the way I am."

Henry Ford said, "Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right." If you think that being disorganized is just how you are, then no matter what blog or book you read or expert you hire to help you, you absolutely will continue to be disorganized. Your belief is the first thing that must change. Our language defines us, especially the language we use with ourselves.

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
-Author Unknown

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Comments

[Sandi]

Boy is this true! I am by nature a very unorganized person. I have a tendancy to set things down where I finish with them and to let my "file it" pile get much bigger than I need to. However, my job requires me to multi-task at a ridiculous level and so have created systems that work for me to keep track of multiple projects and files. In my home life, I have custom cabinets everywhere(thankfully my father is a carpenter extraodinaire) which helps me to have a place for everything for ease of putting away and finding again. (except my keys...I lose them a lot!) I have to make an effort to go against my nature, but the effort is totally worth it. I'm happier, calmer and have people commenting regularly on my amazing organizational skills.(tee hee)