I am committed to minimizing the time between inspiration and action.
This isn’t a habit I’ve grown up with - it’s a habit I’ve created. It’s one of my most impactful created habits.
So when I experienced a powerful insight a month ago, I jumped into action immediately.
The insight: create a two-day Mindset Mastery Experience for teens.
I was excited! I texted a friend, I spoke with a couple colleagues, and I began setting up meetings with different community leaders.
As the insight began to take shape in people’s calendars, however, fear started to creep in…
Who am I to do this?
Why should anyone listen to me?
What value do I offer?
Fear and anxiety thrive on unanswered questions, so I didn’t leave them unanswered - I answered them.
And after a bit of journaling, here’s what I realized was the core fear underlying all of them:
I’m afraid of disappointing people.
I feel like a child when I experience this fear, and it’s obvious why - it’s a childish fear.
But the fear can be so gripping! It can be so overpowering! It can be so constraining!
So I worked it. I performed some of the magic that I’ve studied, practiced, and trained others in using. I used a tool my own coach supported me with a couple weeks prior.
And I got free.
You see, “I will disappoint people” is a lie. I have never disappointed anyone. Anyone. Not my parents, family, friends, teachers, colleagues, students, kids, wife, anyone.
People aren’t reacting to me and they’re not reacting to you. They’re reacting to their own stuff about me, and they're reacting to their own stuff about you. Likewise, I’m not reacting to them. I’m reacting to my own stuff about them.
No one else has ever disappointed me either.
When we’re disappointed, we’re disappointing ourselves. We have unmet expectations. We have unfulfilled desires.
This isn’t about blame, shame, or guilt. It’s about our mindset.
This magic percolated through my journaling, and it unraveled the braid of shame, fear, and guilt wrapped up in that simple sentence: “I will disappoint people.” And I got to something much more accurate:
“People will disappoint themselves.”
I can’t disappoint them. They might disappoint themselves, but that’s their business, not mine.
My business is to show up fully in the present moment.
Bring what I’ve got.
Lay it all out on the table.
Play full out in my commitment to Love, Service, Ease, and Enjoyment.
Rise up with me, my friends. The world is waiting for us.
Thanks so much for reading. ❤️
P.S. As a transformational life coach, I help teens, adults, and organizations move beyond their self-imposed limitations to be their best and feel their best. If you’re interested in finding out how I can support you or your organization, reach out and let’s talk. 💌
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