r/Purpose • u/EngineerPresent6045 • Nov 05 '24
The Dilemma of Moving Forward Despite Doubts
An individual faces a mental conflict, torn between two opposing lines of thought, each strongly influencing their ability to make decisions for the future.
On one hand, there is a voice encouraging growth, rooted in the wisdom of self-help books and positive advice from others. This side advocates for trying new things, accepting that mistakes may happen along the way but that these are valuable learning experiences. It suggests that with proper planning and effort, one should continually strive forward, trusting in the journey and one’s ability to improve.
On the other hand, a persistent fear of failure holds them back. This voice is shaped by past experiences, which have led to self-doubt and apprehension. It warns that attempting something new may not just lead to failure but could result in deep embarrassment, damaging their reputation among family and friends. Loss of self-respect and maybe even physical harm adds to the hesitation, making the prospect of taking any action feel daunting and risky.
The individual recognizes that action is necessary to move forward in life, yet the conflicting voices create a paralysis of indecision. They worry that without change, their current state will deteriorate over time. However, the fear of a possible downfall if they act leaves them equally immobilized. How can one navigate such opposing thoughts to make progress?
1
u/ThePurposeGuy Nov 10 '24
My friend, as you said, moving forward in life is necessary.
That often means simply taking the next step.
And the next step usually comes in the form of a decision.
The decision can become hard if we don't know what is truly meant for us, what is aligned with our values and our purpose.
Living a purposeful life simply means being the person we are made to be and living freely with integrity.
Once you gain clarity on your values and purpose, decisions become easier because you know what's 'right.'
You know what's right for you because you know what is aligned with your true self.
That gives you such confidence in yourself and your decisions that you’d be willing to take a bullet for it.
So, I would say that you need to do some reflection work, looking inward and listening to those voices in your heart. It knows what's good for you. ;)
Is this helpful?