Last week I had a conversation with my six year old nephew about his final championship hockey game.  I said to him, “So tomorrow night is your last game!”  He replied with all the enthusiasm of a little boy, “Yeah! And we’re going to win!” Then without missing a beat he added, “I hope we win.  We might not win.  Do you think we’ll win?”

I was actually speechless for a minute when I realized what had just happened.  It was so obvious – the childish enthusiasm and desire to win was already being silenced by the voice in his head.  The voice that says, “You might not win, you better make sure you cover your bases here so you aren’t disappointed and don’t be so confident about winning.”

I’ve been thinking about it all week and I’ve been paying more attention to the voice in my head as well.  The voice that tells me that things might not work out as well as I hope so I better lower my expectations and keep quiet about my desire to win.

I met with a friend who is struggling with self-imposed limitations. As we walked through a coaching session together she talked about how her whole life has followed a pattern of making the safe choice.  In an effort to avoid failure, she has mapped out a career that leaves her empty.  She is working hard to silence the voices in her head that tell her that failure is the worst thing that could happen.  She is replacing them with her own voice, a voice that challenges the limiting thoughts.  And she is ready to fail if that is what it takes.

I don’t know what the voices in your head are saying.  I do know that they start young and they are persistent.   The good news is they can be challenged.

My nephew’s team won their championship game.  They got the gold.  I’m  hoping that win helps him to hear the voice of possibility and victory.