Co-Conspirators the Many Voices

Welcome to Real Talk.

Today, I want to talk about something that every one of us deals with, whether we admit it or not: the many voices in our head.

I call them the co-conspirators.

These are the voices that show up throughout the day and begin negotiating with us. One says, “You can make that phone call later.” Another says, “You’re probably bothering them anyway.” Another reminds you about the last time somebody told you no. Then another voice jumps in and says, “Maybe you should check your email first.”

And before you know it, thirty minutes have passed, you haven’t done the thing you knew you needed to do, and the co-conspirators have won another round.

The interesting question is not whether we have these voices. We all do.

The question is: Which voices are we listening to?

Are all the voices in your head receiving the same credibility?

Because they shouldn’t.

Some voices are grounded in experience and logic. Some are grounded in fear. Some come from past failures. Some come from things other people have said about us. Some are simply distractions dressed up as important thoughts.

And some voices are louder than others.

But volume does not equal truth.

Fear can be incredibly loud. Doubt can be loud. Impatience can be loud. Frustration can practically scream at you.

Truth usually doesn’t need to.

Truth stands alone.

The truth may simply say, “Make the call.”

The truth may say, “Do the work.”

The truth may say, “You don’t know what the outcome is going to be, so stop predicting it.”

Maybe you’re a real estate professional sitting in front of a list of fifty people you should contact. One voice says nobody wants to hear from you. Another says the market is difficult. Another says you need a better script before you start calling.

But the logical voice says something much simpler:

Success might be one phone call away.

You don’t know which call it is.

So make the next one.

And then make another one.

This is where we have to become much more intentional about grading the voices we allow to influence our behavior.

Ask yourself: Is this thought true? Is it useful? Is it moving me toward action, or giving me permission to avoid action?

That one little filter can change your entire day.

Because productivity isn't always about learning another strategy. Sometimes productivity is simply eliminating the internal arguments that keep us from doing what we already know needs to be done.

And there is another voice we have to be careful with—the voice of time.

“I should be further along.”

“This should have happened already.”

“I’ve been working on this too long.”

Be careful.

Time can become one of your greatest co-conspirators.

Instead of carrying the emotional burden of when something must happen, focus on the quality and consistency of the work.

Apply effort.

Learn.

Adjust.

Persevere.

Then let go of your emotional attachment to the timetable.

That doesn't mean every goal we choose is necessarily the right goal. And it certainly doesn't mean every outcome happens exactly the way we imagine it.

But consistent, intelligent effort creates outcomes.

So today, listen carefully to the many voices.

Notice which ones are loud.

Notice which ones create fear.

Notice which ones encourage delay.

And then listen for the quieter voice grounded in truth and logic.

The voice that says:

Do the work you can do today.

Make the call.

Take the next step.

Keep going.

You don't need every voice in your head to agree.

You just need to stop giving every voice a vote.

If you are stalled and you need a little help. Find some time on my calendar link. I'd love to talk to you about your business.