The Stories We Tell Ourselves Have Consequences

Some of us have got to stop talking crazy to ourselves. I say that with love and absolutely no judgment because I have done my share of it, too. There is the person we present to the world, the one who knows how to handle business, show up, figure things out, and keep life moving, and then there is the voice we live with when nobody else is around. That conversation can be an entirely different story, and I have come to believe that the way we speak to ourselves has far more influence over the lives we create than we realize.

I was reading We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers when I came across a study she cites in the book: “Due to imposter syndrome, 55 percent of self-employed women automatically discount their prices before the client even asks for a lower price.” Now, that is wild. Before the client negotiates, complains, says the price is too high, or even opens their mouth, we have already held the meeting, represented both sides, negotiated against ourselves, and walked away with less money. Funny when you say it out loud, but there is nothing particularly funny about what it reveals.