Scary Voices

Hello Friends!

It's the third week in January. How are your new year's resolutions holding up? Did you know that the second Friday in January is unofficially known as "Quitter's Day", where a significant number of people abandon their new year's resolutions. And by the second week of February, studies have shown that over 80% of people give up.

There are a lot of reasons why this happens, but the root cause is how we are talking to ourselves. Let's dive into this week's topic:

Intro

When we lose motivation, it's probably because we are battling a familiar foe: the scary voices in our heads. These are the voices that whisper limiting beliefs, shout self-doubt, and echo all the reasons why we’re not good enough, smart enough, or deserving enough.

January often starts with a bang - renewed energy, lofty goals, and the feeling of a fresh start. But as the honeymoon phase of New Year’s resolutions fades, reality begins to sink in. Maybe you haven’t hit all the marks you set for yourself. Maybe your progress feels too slow, or maybe life has simply gotten in the way. And there it is: the voice that says, “See? I told you this wasn’t for you.”

If you’re hearing that voice, I have good news: it’s actually a sign that you’re onto something big.

Why Scary Voices Show Up

Those scary voices don’t speak up when you’re cruising through your comfort zone. They show up when you’re doing something different, something unfamiliar, something that matters. When you’re stepping outside of your usual patterns, your mind’s natural instinct is to protect you. It does this by triggering fear and doubt, hoping to steer you back to safety - even if that “safe” place is mediocrity.

But here’s the thing: growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. Growth happens when you’re willing to feel the fear and move forward anyway. So instead of letting those scary voices paralyze you, what if you viewed them as proof that you’re doing something worth pursuing?

Reframing the Voices

The next time a scary voice pipes up, listen closely. What is it really telling you? If it’s saying, “You’re not ready,” could it mean you’re stepping into something new that requires growth? If it’s saying, “You’ll fail,” could it mean you’re aiming for a goal that stretches you in meaningful ways?

Instead of fighting the voices, try to reframe them. Your brain is incredibly adaptable. The more you challenge negative thoughts with empowering ones, the quieter those scary voices will become.

If you haven’t made the progress you hoped for in January, don’t get discouraged. Instead, see it as feedback. Perhaps your initial plan needs adjustment. Maybe you need more support, more focus, or a different strategy. But whatever you do, don’t let the scary voices convince you to give up. 

Remember, the scary voices thrive on inaction. When you take action - even imperfect action - you prove them wrong.

Parting Words

The scary voices aren’t going away, and that’s okay. They’re part of the human experience. What matters is how you respond to them. Do you let them dictate your actions, or do you choose to move forward despite them?

Whatever those voices say, do the opposite. If they say, “You can’t,” prove them wrong by trying. If they say, “You’re not enough,” remind yourself of how far you’ve already come. Confidence isn’t about never hearing the scary voices; it’s about not letting them stop you.

Let’s embrace the scary voices for what they truly are: signs that we’re pushing boundaries, chasing dreams, and living a life of growth. And the best way to silence them? Keep going.

You’ve got this!

Have a great rest of the week.

Thought Of The Week

A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."

- Unknown

If you are interested in improving your speaking, communication skills and confidence, schedule a call with me or learn more about communication coaching here. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to The Confidence Weekly Newsletter here.