How I rewrote my limiting beliefs about being disorganized and learned to stay present—while leaving space for the unpredictable.
For a long time, I believed I was disorganized and always late. And honestly, there was plenty of evidence—I once even missed my own birthday party! I also suffered from FOMO long before it had a name. I would say yes to multiple people and events in different places at the same time, all while working an average of 128 hours a week (yes, that really was my rhythm for many years). It was, unsurprisingly, the perfect recipe for a chaotic and unsustainable routine. The people around me would often make jokes or offer harsh feedback about my poor time management.
But their criticism didn’t inspire self-improvement—it reinforced a narrative I had already accepted.
That was until I moved abroad, nine years ago.
Far from the expectations of those who’d known me since childhood, I had a chance to reset. New countries. New tribes. New habits. New work ethics. I began to rebuild an identity that reflected not just where I came from—but where I was heading.
Around that time, I started working with a mentor who introduced me to a concept that changed everything: limiting beliefs.
One of mine was:
“I’m disorganized and always late.”
He asked me to reimagine it—through something he called a Constructive Imagination Verse. This wasn’t just wishful thinking. It was a way to anchor myself in a new, more empowering truth.
So in 2018, I wrote this:
“I love organizing my things, my schedule, and my priorities. I deliver my commitments on time. My email inbox is clean. My house is tidy, with everything in the right place. I feel relaxed—and free.”
That was my new north star. Today, after years of updates to my internal operating system, it sounds more like this:
“My calendar is a blank canvas. Every day, every week, every month I paint it with different colors, symbolizing the many areas of my life. I deliver my commitments on time. I respect my time—and others’. My house is as tidy as I’m able to keep it (and I trust my little crew to share the mission). There is no message from someone I care about left unanswered—because I CARE. And I allow space for stillness and the unpredictable.”
This wasn’t an overnight transformation. There was a lot of trial and error. I tried a Meeting-Free Monday and it didn’t work. So I reframed it into Inspiring Mondays—a day when I prioritize creativity, learning, wellbeing, or giving back.
(For the record, today is Monday and I’ve already danced in my living room, watched a webinar, and now I’m writing this before starting a series of 3 creative/inspiring meetings in a row.)
Some things remain non-negotiable on my calendar:
- Me-time
- Meaningful Relationships-time
They’ve become more flexible, but they still anchor me.
Work-wise, I had to make big adjustments. I work across time zones, and I know how many hours I want to dedicate weekly. Now, I have dedicated time blocks for:
- Client sessions
- Business development
- Back-office (admin, marketing, finances… oh boy!)
- Learning & practice improvement
- Strategy & other projects
This system helps me measure my true capacity, avoid overcommitment, and stay clear of old patterns like workaholism.
Another major shift: learning to say NO.
I found my notes from 2017, and I can’t believe I believed in this:
“Saying no or giving up is a sign of weakness.”
Today, I’d coach that version of me with this reframe (and a hug at the end of the session):
“Saying no is a powerful act of self-respect. Letting go is not weakness—it’s wisdom.”
✨ A prompt for you: What’s one belief about yourself that might no longer serve you? And what would your updated verse sound like today?
If this resonated with you, feel free to share your thoughts. I’d love to hear how you’re painting your own canvas of time.