You have a little friend that lives inside your head. Actually, it’s not so much a friend as a voice that tells you what you want to hear. It rationalizes bad behavior, revises history and sugarcoats mistakes, all so you can sleep at night.
Here are some of the things that sanctimonious little shit that inhabits your brain likes to tell you so you can live with yourself, and the truth:
I’m self-employed. You’re unemployed.
That has never happened to me before. Yes, it has.
I don’t care what people think. Oh yes you do. Haven’t you ever noticed that people who say that say it over and over. If they didn’t care, they wouldn’t keep bringing it up.
I’m just going to have one more … When does it ever stop there?
Let me introduce you to my better half. Come on now; do you really believe that? Really?
I’m a tech enthusiast. You’re a tech addict.
I’m in love. You’re horny.
I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me. Tell me you didn’t think Al Franken was just a little creepy?
I have imposter’s syndrome. You lack self-confidence.
If only I’d sold when I had the chance. Famous last words.
I need to surround myself with better, more supportive people. You need to be a better, more supportive person.
I didn’t have the opportunities others had. Join the club. Most of the successful entrepreneurs and executives I’ve known started with nada, as did I.
I just can’t figure out what to do with my life. You’re a slacker. Get a freaking job.
I need to hire better employees. You need to be a better boss.
And my personal favorite: I don’t have a problem with alcohol. As if that solves everything. Between alcoholic and teetotaler is an awful lot of room for messed up behavior. I should know.
What lies does that voice inside your head like to tell you?