Written by: Debbie Gill, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Everyone has a Saboteur. The question is, "Have you weakened it?" Chances are, you haven't, don't know how, or you aren't aware you even have one.
The Judge, a highly powerful Saboteur, is indoctrinated in us at an early age. We judge our performance in school, on the playground, and at home; we judge others for the same, and we judge our circumstances or situation in life.
Have you ever said to yourself, "I should have done better on that project. I'm such a loser when it comes to details," or something similar?
Maybe you've judged a co-worker; "What a slacker he is; he always takes extra time on breaks."
Or you've judged your circumstances in life as getting the short of the stick; you weren't born to the right parents; there's always a wrench thrown your way to mess things up.
"We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
According to Shirzad Chamine, author of Positive Intelligence, the Judge is the universal Saboteur that beats you up repeatedly over mistakes or shortcomings, warns you obsessively about future risks, and gets you fixated on what is wrong with others or your life. Your Judge is your greatest internal enemy and causes you much of your stress and unhappiness and reduces your effectiveness.
So, what can you do, and how can you weaken the Judge?
First, ask yourself why you're judging.
Is it because of your need to belong or feel part of a group?
Is it because of your need to feel "better than" or superior to someone?
Is it because you don't want to see those aspects in yourself?
Is it because you want to know where you fit in, who and what you like?
After becoming aware of why you're judging, pause and feel the emotions and the bodily sensations that occur as a result. Are they pleasant, or are they distressing?
Negative emotions are only helpful for one second as your alert signal, just like the signal you get from putting your hand on a hot stove. You don't keep your hand on it; you remove it quickly.
You can become aware when judging by being curious and listening to what your body is telling you. When these alert signals are heeded, change can occur; judging can be transmuted into discernment.
When using discernment, you are curious and search for understanding and insight from a situation enabling you to make an intelligent decision. You can see clearly and respond with empathy, compassion, creativity, and laser-focused action.
To weaken your Judge Saboteur, strengthen your discernment; it's your key to success.
Strengthening your discernment isn't easy, but you can increase your abilities by focusing on your business. Where do you struggle?
Do you talk all the time, or are you quiet as a churchmouse? If you're perceived as a know-it-all, people will shut you out and may cause your working relationships to suffer.
On the other hand, if you never speak up, no one will recognize you as having anything to offer, which could be detrimental when working on a project.
Learning when to speak up and when to stay quiet strengthens your discernment.
Are you are perfectionist and late with your tasks? When you need to have everything perfect, you're judging your work. Find colleagues with similar projects and watch how they complete them. Use this knowledge with your wisdom to discern what is necessary to hand in.
Do you hold onto constructive feedback as criticism from your boss? Taking time to consider and assess what value you can find in the feedback rather than getting annoyed or angry is a step in improving your discernment resulting in greater success.
If you find your Judge Saboteur is showing up frequently and blocking your success and potential, begin practicing the virtue of discernment.
Schedule your free 15-Minute Assessment today and learn how you can begin to weaken your Judge, leading to a more prosperous and happier life!
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Debbie Gill, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Debbie Gill is the founder of Go Within Spiritual Coaching and Go Within Yoga. She integrates her knowledge and experience as a spiritual coach and yoga teacher with the wisdom of Caroline Myss, a Medical Intuitive and five-time New York Times bestselling author, Anodea Judith, an expert on the Chakra System, somatic therapy, and yoga, and Lion Goodman, creator of the Clear Beliefs® Process.
As a Certified Clear Beliefs® Coach, Debbie can assist you with clearing core beliefs that hold you back from becoming your true self and living your true purpose through the Clear Beliefs Process® (CBP). The CBP is a set of tools and techniques that frees you from past limitations so you can freely choose your beliefs and live an empowered and more fulfilling life.
Debbie is the author of, Struck by Lightning: My Journey from the Shadow to the Light, where she chronicles her life’s struggles with her shadow aspects and addictions. The spiritual memoir reflects her emergence from the shadow caused by traumatic wounds to the light where truth brings awareness and healing.
A grateful recovering alcoholic since June 6, 2000, she lives the 12-Steps of AA and practices its principles in her daily life, and continues her study at CMED with Myss and Judith and Goodman.
