How to overcome a guilty conscience?

[Elshaddai]

I often  guilt myself often for not meeting the goals and deadlines i set for myself, Especially personal development wise.

My mind tells me that i'm not good enough or that i should do more tasks, make more time for study, get back to reading books, exercise more etc 

This happens even when I'm having a relatively productive day.

Now granted I'm not the most productive person and i slack off and procrastinate alot, but i feel that guilting myself isn't the most helpful thing to do about this.

I  hope you can help me with this.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 25, 2022 by Elshaddai

[Yarco]

You can't change the past. Guilt can be a powerful tool to encourage you to do better in the future. But you don't want to overly focus it to the point that it prevents you from doing stuff in the present, or causes obsession and emotional turmoil.

Just admit that you were a flawed person in the past and fell short of the glory of God (everyone does), use it as a learning opportunity, and vow to do better in the future.

It's worth evaluating if you're being realistic with your goals too. Would you expect a friend, family member, or employee to meet all of your goals and deadlines? Or are you holding yourself to too high of a standard and maybe should dial it back a little?

Edited August 25, 2022 by Yarco

[Elshaddai]

@Yarco this is very good advice, thank you.

Like you said i think the reason it's a problem for me is because it does interfere with the present and creates rumination and emotional turmoil.

I use often set goals that are too much for me but i work with a life coach that helps me set realistic goals so thankfully that's not an issue. 

[Tyler Robinson]

Give space to yourself. Don't beat yourself up for bad days. Keep yourself cheerful and do things that you really love doing. 

I've a thread  on motivation in the mental section. That might help you. 

 

[gettoefl]

guilt is feeling bad for not following rules forcibly imposed on you

first wake up and you will understand this

then write the rules that work for you

 

[Raze]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRyDTci_c2U
 

https://www.shinzen.org/store/cure-guilt-shame/