By Enigheni Iwori
So, you have decided to start the year right. You have narrowed down your priorities. You are now fully equipped to smash your goals.
However, if you truly want to grow this year, you need to break free from certain behaviors that have been holding you back. Old patterns can make new routines fruitless so here are a few you should discard.
· People Pleasing: There is a thin line between being nice and being kind. If you are constantly shifting ground for others, saying yes when you mean no and disrespecting your boundaries or principles, you are on a path of self-loss. You do not need to erase yourself so you can be called a good person.
· Laziness: Now not in the sense of not doing something but procrastinating. You are always looking for people to motivate you or avoiding discomfort because of your “mental health”. Whether people are applauding or not, all conditions do not need to be perfect before you take a step. Just get up and do what needs to be done.
· Self-Demeaning Language: Constantly talking down on yourself or downplaying your achievements because you do not want to appear proud. That is not humility. It is plain old shame. Speak to yourself kindly, even when you make a mistake. Do not say stuff like “you are so dumb” or “you are so foolish”, because overtime it becomes a belief and people start to treat you like that.
· Disinterest: You start something today and in two weeks you are bored. For some, it is a defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt. But if you do not commit yourself to something, how will you know it works? You need to follow through with your assignments.
· Anger and Malice: You can express your displeasure over an action without your emotions overpowering you and causing you to act out of character. Always communicate how you feel to avoid carrying burdens you have no business bearing in the first place.
Recognizing these behaviours starts with self-awareness and having honest conversations with yourself. Pay attention now and choose to do better.
Movies of the Week
· Fame and Fury (YouTube): An actress with a thriving career is torn between a wealthy partner who seeks to stifle her growth and a lesser-known actor who just wants to use her to advance his career. The story focuses on themes of financial independence, career autonomy and deceit.
· Tokunbo (Netflix): A crime thriller that follows the story of an ex-car smuggler as he races against time to deliver a kidnapped government official’s daughter to her captors in order to save his son. Suspense filled and action driven, the movie explores themes of betrayal, fear and parental sacrifice.
See you next week.
*Enigheni can be contacted via ienigheni@gmail.com
