If there was one single piece of advice I’d have to give anyone, it’s to “follow the energy”.
Earlier this week I had registered a webinar, by an author whose books I own, on a topic of personal interest to me. I thought I’d try to expand my circle a bit so I clicked “Attend”.
But, if I’m being honest with myself, there was definitely some “should” energy behind that decision; I should be “doing” more, I should be “expanding my circle” more.
When it came time for the webinar to begin… I just couldn’t make myself. I simply didn’t want to.
If I had to describe this in more detail: A huge energy drain, a complete lack of excitement, a feeling that I’m making myself, a heavy weight on my body, internal turmoil.
So… I listened to myself and didn’t. I sent a message my friend, Rita, sharing my decision, as a way to talk it out and get it clear in my head about what my motivations were.
The next day, I had zero regret. And that told me all I needed. I was glad I listened to myself. Forcing myself to do anything isn’t how I’m going to get to where I’m going.
Maybe the talk itself, even if it was somewhat interesting, wasn’t “the” thing for me right now.
To help me further, the recording was sent out the next day and when I clicked the video I saw slide after slide of information. It was a pure information dump presentation – definitely not how I best learn. Like I say many times; I want you to show me, not tell me.
I never watched the recording.
And then I realized the larger truth – this was a low-stakes way for me to be reminded of how I best operate. To trust my gut and instincts, and that lesson itself energized me.
The webinar ended up doing what it needed – I wouldn’t have been reminded of this lesson had I NOT clicked “Attend” and then done a gut check later.
I’ve been on both sides of this. This week was about not attending an inconsequential webinar, but as the saying goes “How you do one thing is how you do everything”.
I followed my gut when navigating the sale of my company. I’ve also previously turned down a seven-figure investment because it didn’t feel right to me. In a lot of ways how I handled myself in both those situations broke all the rules of how people are expected to act. I have zero regrets.
When I said yes to attending COP28, that was a completely gut-driven “Hell Yes!” when I didn’t even know what I was going to do when I got there. The details came later.
If I look at my energy as a contrast for that, I couldn’t be stopped. I felt electric. I was motivated. I made one hard decision after the next. I put myself out there. I made huge asks of strangers. I risked humiliation – and the funny thing is, I never humiliated myself.
And this morning I kicked a few ideas around for what to write for this week’s article, and this was the one that bubbled up out of me. I followed the energy on creating this article.
Every regret I’ve ever had has been from not listening to myself. Sometimes for big decisions, and sometimes for little ones.
Where are you currently experiencing “should” energy and what can you do about it?
And even more provocative: What’s something your gut is screaming “YES!!!!” to but you’re resisting, likely out of fear?
And, like most of my articles, that last question is the one I’ll personally be sitting with. I get frustrated with myself at times that I don’t have nice easy answers, but if I remind myself of my ability to follow my gut, I’ll get to where I need to be. Maybe there’s a new Impossible Goal finding its way?
