subject: The Top Reasons Women Feel Guilty [print this page] The Top Reasons Women Feel Guilty The Top Reasons Women Feel Guilty
One reoccurring topic in my coaching sessions with women is guilt. Interestingly, this topic doesn't often come up in my sessions with men. What's at work here?
In studying the topic of guilt I was not surprised to see it referred to as a "women's disease."
I have identified six tops reasons that women feel guilty. Many women don't even realize that they, too, have caught the guilty bug until I point it out. Read this and see if you can recognize yourself or the women in your life as suffering from these guilty symptoms.
Women feel so guilty because they tend to
1 Put others first. They do and buy things for everyone else, but feel guilty if they consider doing and buying things for themselves. (Men usually believe they are equal to others and take care of their own needs as well.)
2 Be perfectionists. When women make mistakes, they often feel guilty. Men often accept that mistakes are how they learn what won't work.
3 Worry about everything. They worry aboutbeing able to pay the bills, whether something they said hurt someone's feeling or if the couch they just purchased is the right color. Men tend to put their focus on achieving their dreams.
4 Monday morning quarterback. That is, women reflect and analyze far more than men. This can lead to us judging ourselves and then feeling guilty.
5 Take control. Women attempt to take control of EVERYTHING: the kids' homework, home decorating, holiday planning, caring for aging parents, paying the bills, etc. We may boast about our multitasking ability. Then, when something doesn't quite work out, we take responsibility for other's feelings and problems. Men don't worry their world won't fall apart if they drop the ball.
6 Believe saying "no" is not loving. The belief turns into an automatic programming in which every time a woman says no, she feels guilty. Men usually rely on their gut instincts. They say "yes" when it feels right and "no" when it doesn't.
I believe in the power of women. I marvel all the time at my client's strengths and gifts. But I don't want to see them unnecessarily weighted down from sharing their talents and power because of guilt.
I believe here we need to pay attention to the men. They are showing us by example how to live our lives the easier way, without guilt.
Other info on guilt by Vickie Champion you might be interested in are:
What is Guilt?
The Guilt Cycle
10 Popular Things Women Feel Guilty Over
9 Things That Can Cause Anyone Guilt
Visit Vickie's website for more articles like the articles listed above. You can also contact Vickie Champion for a complimentary coaching and consulting session to overcome your guilt.
