I’m thinking of you and I’m curious: What’s one word to describe your pandemic experience so far?

When I ask this question in my virtual workshops, people come up with some really fascinating, creative answers. 

That’s not the only one-word thing I’ve got up my sleeve.

Last night, the Half-Finished to Done, LIVE group coaching program kicked off. There are 10 awesome people enrolled, who are all finished (pun intended) having half-finished projects cluttering their physical and mental space. They’re ready to complete those projects and unlock all of their untapped potential. It’s incredible to watch.

I shared a one-word magic trick with them that I want to share with you, too.

If you want to change something in your life, stop labeling yourself with a label that perpetuates the cycle you’re trying to break.

“I’m a procrastinator.”

“I’m a perfectionist.”

“I’m not a morning person.”

“I have a time management issue.”

For many people, acknowledging their habits or preferences is a really important first step. It clicks for them and makes them feel like they understand a piece of their identity on a whole new level.

But eventually, continuing to labeling yourself just perpetuates your self-fulfilling prophecy.

Self-identified procrastinators procrastinate. Self-identified perfectionists seek perfection. “Not a morning person” people dread mornings. “Time management issue” people struggle with time.

The first step of solving this challenge: Start tacking the word “Historically” to the front of your thought.

“Historically, I’ve been a procrastinator.”

“Historically, I’ve been a perfectionist.”

“Historically, I haven’t been a morning person.”

“Historically, I’ve had a time management issue.”

Like one of my client said, it signals to your brain that change is possible. And as one of my teachers says, just imagining a different reality changes you. It’s the first step in change, always.