We don’t express what we truly want because subconsciously we already believe we’ll be rejected. Change the belief, change the behavior.
Have you ever found yourself holding back, biting your tongue, or hesitating to voice your desires or opinions? It's a common human experience. We often refrain from expressing our true wants and needs because deep down, we fear rejection. This fear can be so deeply ingrained in our subconscious that it governs our behaviors without us even realizing it. But what if I told you that by shifting this belief, you could transform your actions and ultimately, your life?
Imagine you're standing at the edge of a diving board, peering down at the inviting water below. You have an overwhelming urge to dive in, to feel the rush of the cool liquid enveloping you. But as you prepare to jump, a nagging voice in your head whispers, "What if you belly flop? What if everyone laughs?" Suddenly, fear grips you, and you retreat, letting the opportunity slip away. That voice, that fear of rejection, is what holds us back from expressing our true desires.
Now, picture this: instead of that voice of doubt, imagine a newfound belief bubbling up within you – a belief that you are worthy, that your desires are valid, and that rejection is not a reflection of your worth. With this empowering belief, you step confidently to the edge of the diving board once more. This time, as you leap, you do so with conviction, knowing that even if you don't make a perfect dive, it doesn't diminish your value or worthiness of acceptance.
Changing this fundamental belief about rejection isn't about denying the possibility of facing disappointment or disapproval. It's about recognizing that rejection is not a verdict on your self-worth but merely a part of the human experience. It's like realizing that the rain, though it may dampen your plans, doesn't diminish the beauty of the world around you. With this perspective shift, expressing your desires becomes less about seeking validation from others and more about honoring your own truth.
Think of it like planting a garden. When you sow seeds, you don't do so with the expectation that every seed will sprout into a thriving plant. Some may wither, while others flourish beyond your wildest expectations. Similarly, when you express your desires, some may be met with acceptance and enthusiasm, while others may not resonate with those around you. But just as a gardener doesn't take the failure of a seed to germinate as a personal rejection, neither should you interpret every instance of disapproval as a reflection of your worth.
By changing the belief that rejection is inevitable and instead embracing the possibility of acceptance, you open yourself up to a world of opportunities. You become more authentic in your interactions, more courageous in pursuing your goals, and more resilient in the face of setbacks. Like a bird taking flight from its nest, you soar into the unknown, trusting in your own wings to carry you forward.
So, dear reader, I challenge you to reflect on your own beliefs about rejection. Are you allowing the fear of disapproval to hold you back from expressing your true desires? What small step can you take today to cultivate a belief in your own worthiness, regardless of the response you receive?
* To gain more inspiration and motivation for your personal growth journey, I recommend visiting my SMART goals page, which offers a wide range of goal ideas to help you establish new aspirations and achieve greater success in life. This list was crucial in the development of my own life goals list, consisting of 100 goals that I pursued for ten years.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
