3 questions to help you own your truth | Eileen E. Galbraith | TEDxStGeorgeStudio

Key Concepts:

• Self-worth and worthiness
• Limiting beliefs and stories
• Reframing negative thoughts
• The power of questioning
• Authenticity and embracing flaws
• Transformation through mindset shift

1. The Speaker's Personal Story and Early Limiting Beliefs:

• The speaker, Eileen, recounts a childhood experience where a severe case of whooping cough at seven months old left her with a crossed eye and blindness in that eye.
• This physical "flaw" led her to believe she was unworthy, causing her to develop a people-pleasing persona and a tendency to stay in the background to avoid attention.
• At age nine, surgery to correct the eye condition resulted in the doctor warning her mother that a blow to the eye would cause total blindness, further reinforcing her fear and avoidance of risk.
• She masked her internal struggles by becoming the "funloving, carefree life of the party gal," while internally experiencing anxiety and fear.

2. The Pivotal Realization and Three Transformative Questions:

• After a difficult divorce, Eileen realized she had been allowing others to define her worth, leading to a feeling of inadequacy.
• A turning point came when she questioned the truth of her negative self-perception: "What if that story wasn't true?"
• This led to the development of three pivotal questions designed to challenge limiting beliefs:
  • "Is the story that I'm telling myself true?"
  • "Where did the story even come from?"
  • "What if I told myself a different story?"
• These questions serve as a tool to reframe negative thoughts and beliefs into positive outcomes.

3. Application and Case Study:

• Eileen has used these questions to help women overcome feelings of unworthiness in her work as a financial and business coach.
• She assists women in reframing their beliefs, understanding their finances, and leveraging their unique skills and talents.
• A specific example is given of "Nancy," a client who was on the verge of quitting her business due to frustration.
• By using the three questions, Nancy regained her passion and motivation, prioritized her health, and built a thriving business.

4. Deeper Dive into the Three Questions:

• "Is the story that I'm telling myself true?": In Eileen's case, the belief that her eye condition made her unworthy was challenged.
• "Where did the story even come from?": Eileen traces her negative self-perception to childhood comments, both harsh and mild, that led her to shrink herself to blend in.
• The speaker emphasizes that these stories often originate from fear, past experiences, or assumptions rather than objective truth.
• "What if I told myself a different story?": Eileen imagines how her life would have been different if she had owned her condition with confidence instead of hiding it. She believes she would have been less fearful and achieved even greater things.

5. The Power of Reframing and Authenticity:

• The speaker asserts that weaknesses and flaws are not the true reality.
• Recognizing and embracing flaws is presented as proof of authenticity and strength.
• When individuals realize they can rewrite their stories, real transformation begins.

6. Conclusion:

• The speaker encourages listeners to pause and ask themselves the three pivotal questions whenever feelings of doubt, insecurity, or unworthiness arise.
• Challenging the negative stories allows individuals to rewrite them and become the person they are meant to be.
• The core message is that transformation is possible by questioning and reframing limiting beliefs.