This week I had to make a hard decision in my business.
It involved emailing a group of very excited people and telling them why I couldn't do what they had paid me to do followed by giving them a refund.
Some were very disappointed after reading that email.
But even though it felt uncomfortable for me, there is an empowering lesson here that I want to share with you.
It is this:
You always have a choice in your life. Nothing is truly an obligation.
I run my own business.
I get to do that any way I want to and I aim to do it with a lot of integrity.
But when it occurred to me that I should reconsider this certain project, my first thought was:
"You can't do that. You committed, so you are obligated to follow through."
But being a Life Coach, I am trained to get curious when my brain tries to shout at me about what I can and can't do.
I decided to play out the two most likely scenarios in my head about what could happen if I changed my commitment or kept it.
Option One: I stick to the original plan and spend the month trying to juggle a group of brand new clients, a group coaching class, writing a book and another major project I am working on.
Probable Result: My one-on-one clients don't get full my energy and focus. I feel distracted and burned out. My group class isn't getting enough attention. I don't write much. My business and my life suffers, and I don't keep the commitment I made to my own self-care.
Option Two: I take a good hard look at my list and prioritize everything in order of impact and importance then cross off the things that aren't essential.
Probable Result: A few people are disappointed that they didn't get what they wanted but I have the time and energy to be focused on my clients and the most important parts of my business. I have time to spend with my family and on myself.
Knowing that I have a choice made this process so much easier.
I decided to go with option two which means keeping a deeper commitment I have made to my existing clients, myself and my family.
If you feel stuck, obligated or like you "can't" or you "shouldn't" do something, stop, take a breath and remember you do have a choice. Then spend some time getting very clear on what you really want to create and do the thing that is going to help you get there.
And if you are constantly doing things you don't want to do for fear of disappointing people we should talk. Book a consultation here and learn how I can help you change that for good.
