Problem: you've hit an income ceiling and can't break through it
Often the barrier is faulty inner beliefs. Here is an exercise to get rid of them:
1. Divide a sheet of paper into two columns. In the left one, write down everything you believe about money, good and bad.
2. Next to the beliefs you don't like, write a rebuttal.
3. As you write the counterargument, you will most likely feel disagreement - those are exactly the beliefs holding you back.
Problem: you don't want to go to work, you've become irritable, you've lost your joy in life, and nothing appeals to you
These are symptoms of burnout. The main principle of dealing with burnout is to make your life better: cut back on what drains you and add what fills you up.
Check yourself against this list:
- are you getting enough sleep;
- are you eating well;
- are you moving enough;
- do you have time for yourself;
- do you have a hobby you love.
Write down everything you enjoy and be sure to do something from that list every day.
Problem: you can't get started on work, or you do everything at the last minute
Procrastination is not the problem but a symptom, like a raised body temperature. You can't just switch it off. It signals that something is off in your psyche or your lifestyle. There are several ways to overcome the fear of "starting":
- Break the task down until it stops being scary.
- Take any first step. For example, just jot down your first idea or association, so you have something to build on.
- Describe in words how you picture the upcoming work. That alone will help you beat the fear of the blank page.
Problem: you often think you were "just lucky"
Almost all of us know this career problem. It is well known, and there are ways and exercises to overcome it.
This is called impostor syndrome. It leads to anxiety, low self-esteem, loss of interest in work, and indifference to success. First steps for dealing with it:
- Remember that others sometimes feel insecure too. Anyone doing difficult work worries. And that's normal.
- Keep an achievement journal. Write down facts that confirm your success. It will help you see patterns: your achievements are tied to your knowledge and qualifications.
Problem: you try to make everything perfect and can't reach that ideal
When you try to make everything perfect and can't get there, that is perfectionism. A person believes an ideal exists, constantly strives to reach it in everything, and at the same time fears they will fail.
You can start the fight with small steps. For example, get used to the concept of "good enough": perfect work should look like this, but good-enough work looks like that. Write down clear criteria for it, stay within them, and watch the result. It will be no worse at all! And you need to stop constantly comparing yourself to the ideal, because it is unattainable.