Emotional Icebergs: Melting Personal Barriers To Success

From the moment we can think, we begin building beliefs about ourselves, our world and our place in the world. Research suggests that by the time we’re around 8 to 12 years old, these beliefs are solidifying, and by the time we’re in early adulthood, they are largely set in stone. They are best described as icebergs because, typically, we’re only aware of the tip. The bulk of the problem or iceberg lies under the water, in our subconscious.

These ingrained beliefs can be restricting and take charge of our lives, and many people don’t even know they exist. The good news is there’s a simple three-step process to identify and deal with the subconscious beliefs that are holding you back.

Step 1: Create A Map

Think of your life as a map.  If you know where the icebergs are, you’ll be able to sail around them. Choose a life event or issue where you found your path blocked. For example, you can’t get that promotion or a time when you had surprising emotional reaction.

Ask yourself a few questions about the event:

What was the worst part of that for me?

What does that failure mean to me?

If I were to achieve that goal, what would that say about me?

Ask enough questions and you will begin to uncover the iceberg, which may appear in the form of procrastination, self-sabotage, fear of failure, a duty to others, etc.

Step 2: Challenge Your Iceberg

Once you’ve got the iceberg belief out in the open, let’s examine it.

Is it accurate? Is it useful?

It may have been helpful when you were 9 years old, but is it relevant now?

If your iceberg comes across as positive (I need to drop everything to take care of all my family and friends), can it be adapted into something more achievable (A good person looks out for their family and friends)?

Step 3: Thaw The Iceberg

Your new awareness should now show you when you’re most vulnerable to hitting your icebergs. Identify these event triggers or events and take a different approach to the situation when they arise. If you follow the three steps and master your icebergs, you can reap significant benefits in performance, decision making, time management and your emotional state.

Gennavieve is known for her passion around property investment. Buying her first Australian property at 18, first International property at 21, and retiring from the workforce at 25, Gennavieve now educates & mentors others to grow their own portfolios to achieve financial freedom through Lyons Property Mentoring.