Have you ever realized that when you’re trying to step out of your ‘comfort zone’ you get a bit stuck, or you hesitate, or you just decide at the last minute that you’re going to back out? I bet behind that ‘stickiness’ and hesitation is a limiting belief.
One of the things that I wanted to check off my ‘bucket list’ was singing lessons. So, 8 months ago I found a vocal coach and I started learning how to sing. I know this may come as a complete surprise to those of you that know me quite well- this has been my little secret, and now the cats out of the bag!!
I just wanted to be one of those amazing people, who when they open their mouths to sing a song, it sounds magical. Any time I’ve opened my mouth to sing – dogs have started to howl!
So I decided to take the plunge, step out of my comfort zone and learn how to make this magic happen for myself.
A few weeks ago while I was at one of my lessons I was getting super frustrated because I couldn’t master a certain exercise- I couldn’t hit a certain note. Every time my vocal coach had me try it I would start with a fairly nice sound, but as soon as I had to move out of my singing comfort zone I would tighten every muscle in my body and then I would fail.
I was so fearful of what sound I would make, how stupid I would look and especially the judgment that was sure to follow if I actually let myself ‘try’ to reach for a certain note, because I was sure I was going to fail miserably. So instead I would just sabotage the moment altogether and not even consciously try. My body would shut down and some squeaky sound would come out instead (and in my head I could hear the dogs howling! UGH!)
My vocal coach looked at me and said, “Arianne, just have fun! Give yourself permission to have fun!”
This was a pivotal moment for me! I realized that I was so busy listening to the limiting beliefs of ‘You can’t do it. You’re not good enough. You’ll sound stupid.
I couldn’t hear my own inner guidance telling me it was ok to have fun!!!
As soon as I had this realization I allowed myself to have FUN and guess what? The next time we tried the vocal exercise I was able to hit that awesome note, and I kept going and going and going. It was complete freedom for me.
Since then, anytime I sing, it’s honestly with a relaxed energy and my mission is to have fun and to flush those negative self-limiting beliefs away.
Your inner song can be stifled due to your own self-limiting beliefs. So next time you feel ‘uncomfortable’ while trying something new, listen to your own inner guidance and let those limiting beliefs step aside. Give yourself permission to have fun, to relax, to enjoy.
That is truly living!!
Calgary Canada Life Coach Arianne Moore, founder of Path of Tranquility Life Coaching for Women, helps clients worldwide.