Life Coaching Tip: If you’ve built a life based on what you thought you were “supposed to do” and now feel stuck and underwhelmed, then I encourage you to start listening to your inner voice. When you trust and follow the knowings of your soul, you will create a life that better aligns with what feels meaningful and fulfilling to you!
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It was a rainy, cold March morning, but the coffee shop felt warm and cozy. Still, my hand shook a little as I slid the one-hundred-dollar bill across the table.
I just wasn’t myself. My confidence was at an all-time low after unexpectedly losing my job and spending money to get the opinion of a career counselor felt like a luxurious expense that I couldn’t really afford.
However, the counselor had come highly recommended from my former colleague, Cheryl, a respected therapist, who said she was the best. The career counselor was a professor at a prestigious university, and I appreciated her willingness to meet with me that morning prior to starting her workday.
“I think I want to be a life coach,” I blurted out, shortly after we began talking. For a moment, I was pleased with myself for finally having the courage to say it out loud.
But then, the disapproving look on her face quickly told me I had made a mistake, and I could feel my face flush in embarrassment.
“Oh, no, no, no,” she (for reals) said to me. “That’s not a true profession.”
She then went on to tell me how many small businesses fail, how the life coaching industry is full of frauds and scammers, and at my age (just a few weeks away from my 50th birthday), I should stick with the familiar.
Blah, blah, blah…
She finished by encouraging me to go back into social work, doing the same kind of work I had been doing most of my life, despite my disillusionment with the mental health system and my deep desire to follow this new path that felt so right to me.
As I drove home that morning, I decided that had been the best money I had ever spent.
It was the final straw. No one was ever going to keep me from doing what I knew, deep down in my soul, was my calling.
My rebel spirit kicked into overdrive, and thoughts of “I’ll show you” fueled my momentum.
Now I’ll admit, I was scared, and I knew I needed to work on re-building my confidence. But the thought of not acting on my dream, was even scarier.
“If not now, then when?” I asked myself.
I knew I needed to soldier forward, despite the fear that was upsetting my stomach and the worry that was keeping me up at night.
You see, for as long as I can remember, no matter the position, I’ve been able to see the potential in my clients. And I’ve always found joy in helping them discover and embrace their unique gifts and talents.
Life coaching was a natural fit for me. I had a knowing that it was my calling.
I’m writing about this today for a couple of reasons…
First, after signing my 100th client last week, it hit me how far I’ve come in the past seven years with my coaching practice.
Had I listened to that career counselor, all those clients, plus the many more who’ve attended my groups and workshops, would have missed out on my coaching, and I would have missed out on the happiness it’s brought me to support them as they’ve pursued their dreams.
I wholeheartedly mean it when I say it lights me up to help my clients discover and create what lights them up!
And more importantly, on this Labor Day weekend, I want to inspire you to trust and follow your knowing.
If you’ve listened to your inner voice, that calling deep down in your soul, and are living in a way that fully aligns with what feels meaningful and fulfilling to you… then sister, shine on!
But, if instead, you’ve built a life based on what you thought you were supposed to do and now feel stuck and underwhelmed, then I encourage you to shake things up.
Your gifts and talents were given to you because they were meant for you to fully activate. You are not here to be exactly like everyone else and blend in!
I know it takes courage to step outside of your comfort zone, but I also know how amazing it feels when you finally start realizing your dreams.
And you don’t need to work with a career counselor or even a life coach to do this. You can trust yourself. Listen to your own inner voice.
But, if you’d like some support and inspiration along the way, I’ve got you! Check out my private life coaching page to learn more.
My friend, you have only one precious life and you deserve to shine!
Set Yourself Up for Success