This week I had a conversation with an amazing actor and content creator. His DREAM JOB is to work with a specific company. When we talked about what action steps he could take to make that happen, he revealed to me that not only did the dream company know his work, they had actually asked around to find out who he was, because they wanted to work with him.
Omg, amazing! I thought to myself. Why hadn’t he already reached out to them to set up a meeting?
Well. This is where it gets crazy. This actor didn’t want to seem like he was asking for a job. So he was waiting.
Waiting for what?
Waiting until he felt like he had something to offer.
Because…that somehow makes…sense?
In case you hadn’t figured this part out yet – it makes NO SENSE. Absolutely none whatsoever. We’re talking about his dream job. They already know who he is. They are interested. How much more needs to be in place before this guy will take a chance on his dream, pick up the phone and request a meeting? Seriously.
It’s straight up crazy. But here’s the thing. Everyone does this on some level. I do this all the time. I’ll have nearly all the pieces in place to get what I want. But for one reason or another, I just can’t bring myself to cross the finish line. You are doing it too.
Right now, there’s an action you know you should be taking to get what you want, but your mind has convinced you is something you don’t need to do. It is the classic way that we human beings hold ourselves back. We side with the fear, we listen to the perfect excuse the mind presents to us, and we end up holding ourselves back.
Most of the time your mind is straight up crazy. And siding with your mind’s advice is guaranteed to keep you stuck.
Normally this blog is about helpful tools and tips to overcome such obstacles. But I’m feeling a little punchy this week, and I’ve heard enough people say some really crazy shit about why they’re not doing what they know would actually get them what they want, I’ve decided to shine a big bright light on just how crazy it is to listen to what your mind is telling you.
Crazy bad advice your mind has convinced you makes total sense
DISCLAIMER: The following is for dramatization purposes only. It is not actual advice.
If you want something, don’t tell anyone about it.
Keep your dreams a deep dark secret. In fact, feel ashamed of what you really want. Never tell anyone about it ever. As long as you are the only one who knows what you want, you will be sure to get it. This is the clear path to success.
Want to get something done? Stay at home thinking obsessively about it.
Do not leave the house. Do not take action. Become jealous of your friends who have what you want. Become bitter and depressed. As long as you know what you need to do, that is enough. Just be sure that you don’t do anything except think about it.
It is more important to be liked than it is to live out what is in your heart.
Be sure everyone you ever meet likes you. This is the number one priority. Do not do or say anything to anyone ever ever ever that may cause you to be disliked. Do not rock the boat. Do not stand up for your beliefs. Do not express your thoughts, opinions, ideas or creativity. If people don’t like you, you will surely die a horrible death.
Never ask anyone for help.
The fastest way to get what you want is to do everything yourself. Especially if you have friends, relatives, acquaintances, or colleagues who could be of assistance, you should avoid asking them at all costs. In fact, do not even tell them what you are doing. They might try to offer help all on their own and that will really screw things up for you. Do it alone or don’t do it at all.
Use social media all day long
This is what successful people do. First they check facebook, then twitter, they click links to watch videos, read articles and comment on status updates. If you truly want success, spend at least 6 hours a day wasting time.
The secret to taking action is procrastination
Nothing accomplishes your to do list like putting it off until tomorrow. Keep putting it off until you die. When you lie on your death bed reviewing all the times you could have taken action but you chose not to, you will be very satisfied with your choices. Good work.
Don’t change anything
If you don’t have what you want, and what you’re dong isn’t working, don’t change anything. Keep doing the same thing over and over, because that always gets new results
Be completely comfortable at all times
If you’re clear on your acting goals, be sure that you only ever take action that you are completely comfortable with. Do not push past your boundaries ever. To get where you want to go requires you to stay where you are. You must never be bold, or inflict discomfort upon yourself. Playing it safe leads to greatness.
Get it perfect
Whatever it is you’re doing, just be sure it is absolutely perfect before you put it (or yourself) out there. Make no mistake, if things are not absolutely perfect, you will be horribly maimed and suffer a life of pain, disfigurement and misery. Do not ever take imperfect action. Wait a little longer. Do a little more research. Revise your materials. Keep doing busy work. Only when everything is absolutely, beyond the shadow of a doubt perfect can you be confident in putting yourself out there. Otherwise, you should put it off until perfection is achieved.
We all do it. We all have crazy-bad advice that our mind tries to convince us is the right next step. Do nothing. Stay safe. Put it off until tomorrow. Wait until it’s perfect. These are all very cunning forms of procrastination.
You deserve better. Do you recognize your own habits or tendencies in this faux advice? If you do, we should probably talk.
My job is to help people get out of their own way so they can get what they want. And if you’ve been stuck in your mind, overwhelmed and you don’t know where to start, get help. I just opened up some spots for private coaching to help with this very issue.
Think you need my help? Not sure if coaching is right for you? Sign up for a free strategy session with my team.
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Leave a comment. What crazy advice have you listened to that you can now see makes no sense? How do you determine between an intuitive reaction that serves you, and your mind’s crazy advice that keeps you stuck? Share it below!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hilarious. Can’t wait to not do all these things.
Crazy advice: Because you are of a certain age you won’t make it. Because you don’t have the ‘best, right, big’ credits on your resume you’d have to play catch up to actors in L.A. who’ve been there for years. It’s just too late, so just fall back on something else. aarrgghhh…terrible, I know, but those thoughts are re-interated to me by others as well. blehhhhh!!!!!
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Your list is poignant.