Overcoming Self-Sabotage: Embracing Your Journey
#34 From embarrassment to pride—how small actions can shape your path to growth
Hey! I am so grateful to have you back at my blog. Your subscription means the world to me. ❤️ In order to get to know you better, here is a question for you: “When was the last time you were kind to yourself?” 😊
Now jumping into today’s blog:
I finished my class and went downstairs to the reception in order to discuss something regarding the students.
As I went down the stairs, I saw a new video on the TV that is right at the entrance. Usually we would show a slide of photos of our students, promote special events or have a German short movie.
But this time it was my face. They decided to play a 5 years old YouTube video of me, where I explained how to pronounce certain words in German.
Let me explain, why I was so in shock.
This video was recorded during the very early stage of our language center Deutsch Campus. In fact, it was not even called Deutsch Campus, but “Deutsch Sprachtreff” (German language meet up).
In this video, you could see me standing next to a Whiteboard, with some basic words. In the background, you could see the wallpaper. It was not a basic color like white, grey or even blue. No they were epic horses running through a river.
And there was I. Standing like a old sack of potato in front of the camera. Looking like a serious German guy camouflaged as a German pronouncing some random German words.
This video was faaaaaar from good. Not only my performance was horrible, but the video and audio quality below average.
As walked downstairs to talk to my colleagues, I stopped and felt ashamed as soon as I saw this video.
My first reaction to my team was:
OMG this is sooooo embarrassing, while trying to laugh the awkwardness in my bones away. I genuinely felt like I harmed every person that every saw this photo and just want to apologize to every single one of them for creating such an ugly piece of content.
After I went home, I reflected back on the situation at the school and asked myself: “Why were you so embarrassed? Shouldn’t you be proud that this Deutsch Sprachtreff grew into a proper language school, where you not only help them with learning German but also connect them to German employers?”
I realized that I started to self-sabotage myself by talking badly the passion projects that I used to be proud of. This reaction showed me that I still have this passive aggressive side of me, treating myself un-nicely.
As I realized my bad habit, it was time to use the tools that I learned during the coaching sessions. I closed my eyes and reconnected to my inner child. I started to feel the needs that I have and said to myself:
Thank you Thomas, for stepping out of your comfort zone to do something that you have little experience with. Thank you Thomas, for trying so hard to create value to others. Thank you Thomas, for being you.
I am proud of you!
After this monologue, I did feel lighter and took pride in this early stage video because I accepted, that this video was a crucial stepping stone for the actions afterwards. I was finally at peace - not only logically but also emotionally.
A couple of hours later, a former teacher reacted to the story (I had posted a short Instagram story about this incident) and said that this was actually the video that made her connect with us and reach out.
#mydailylearning
Even with my little experience in doing business, I would say: Many businesses started with a small “insignificant” decision. In my situation, this decision was to create a German pronunciation video about “How to pronounce ‘st’ and ‘sp’”. Until now it has been one of our most viewed videos and created loads of other opportunities.
Never underestimate a small action. And even more important, never self-sabotage by talking trash about it because your inner child always listens. Instead, take pride in it, by accepting it as a stepping stone towards self improvement.
Thanks for reading to the end and I wish you an awesome day full of kindness and positivity. See you next Sunday morning for a new blog of #sonofavietkieu. 🥰 And remember: #yeudoi
Bài viết thuộc thử thách Viết Đều và Hay của Writing On The Net Alumni. #wotn #vietdeuvahay