Catch the "I'd Love To..."
At 8:30 Sunday morning, I knew I wanted a pedicure. It felt light.
By 2:00 that afternoon, I had almost talked myself out of it.
I had two speaking gigs coming up. A trip to Southern California. Marketing to finish. A new class and program I'm creating for October.
I didn't need a pedicure. I would be fine without it. There were plenty of good reasons to stay home and work.
And that's when I caught myself. My "I'd love to..." had quietly become "but I should..."
When "Should" Gets Louder
In my last blog, Someone You Can Count On, I invited you to put a hand on your heart and ask: "Heart, what is one thing you want me to know right now?"
Now let's take that one step further. Because listening to your heart doesn't mean the answer will stay loud. Mine didn't.
The YES I felt at 8:30 am — and the day before — wasn't nearly as compelling at 2:00 pm.
Sometimes I get wobbly. When I'm tired. When there's a lot to do. When something challenging is ahead. That's when the old voices get louder:
You should be working. You haven't done enough. You don't have time for that.
And before I know it, I've talked myself out of what I wanted.
Catch Your "I'd Love To..."
Following your joy doesn't have to begin with a huge leap. Start by getting curious about where joy is already showing up.
Here are three ways to catch it:
✨ Notice what makes you smile without trying. That little lift matters. It's your soul talking.
✨ Notice what you keep wanting to do. The walk. Calling a friend. Sitting in the sun. Taking the class. Maybe even getting a pedicure. 😂
✨ Listen for "I should."
When you hear it, pause and ask: "If there were no shoulds, shouldn'ts, have-tos or musts, what would I do?"
You don't even have to do it. First, practice hearing yourself. That's the 1% needed to see what's true.
Then See What Happens
I got the pedicure. And yes, my toes look fabulous. 😂
More importantly, I relaxed. I received. And I found myself sitting in a new space, writing this blog instead of collapsing on the couch or mindlessly scrolling social media.
Following my joy didn't take me away from what needed to be done. It changed the energy I brought to doing it.
So today, start small. Catch one "I'd love to..." before the "but I should..." arrives. Let yourself hear it. Let it matter. And when you're ready, say yes.
Because every time you honor one of those small yeses, you're practicing something much bigger:
Becoming someone you know you can count on... no matter what.