I’m not sure if you know this about me, but I’m a recovering people pleaser.
I’ve done a lot of work on this over the years, but the fear of displeasing people still pops in for a visit from time to time.
Recently, that fear almost led me to having a surgery I didn’t want to have.
Here’s the story:
Back in May, I was supposed to have surgery.
During pre-op, I realized I had more questions than answers.
And, I noticed a very familiar inner voice telling me to take a step back and press pause.
That inner voice was my intuition … my inner wisdom. This voice was calm, certain and coming from a place of love.
But, there was another familiar voice speaking up inside me as well.
This voice was chaotic, uncertain, and coming from a place of fear.
This voice was telling me I was going to inconvenience the doctors and hospital staff, my husband who rescheduled things for me, my friends and family who had been checking in on me, and my clients whom I’d already moved around to accommodate my recovery time.
This voice told me I was being selfish, weak and dramatic.
It told me “no one” pushes surgery at the last minute, and I was rude to do so.
One voice wanted me to do something I wasn’t comfortable doing (that impacted my physical health, no less) to avoid potentially displeasing people.
And the other voice simply wanted me to take care of my health and trust myself.
Thankfully, I know which voice to listen to.
But, that wasn’t always the case.
There was a time – not too long ago – when I would have shut up and showed up for surgery I wasn’t ready to have.
Today, I am thankful for:
???? Learning how to have my own back and listen to my intuition.
???? Life coaching. The tools I’ve gained by being coached and being a coach have helped me release people-pleasing and embrace my intuition. Coaching changes lives – including my own.
???? The procedure I underwent this past Friday that was less invasive, felt more in alignment with my intuition, and provided me minimal down time for recovery.
When you learn to discern between your fear voice (or your inner mean girl, who also loves to show up and give me hell, BTW) and your intuition (your calmest, deepest, most loving inner wisdom), you show up differently in life and business.
So, what is that calm, loving, voice inside you calling you to say “yes” to today?
What is it lovingly guiding you away from?
Pause, tune in and listen. That voice always has your back.