I feel this is timely. We need to look at and challenge ourselves with the way we are showing up in our lives. We need to question, “how are we living and working?” We need to reclaim our power, honour ourselves, our value and worth and live and work more truly in line with what feels right for us.
Are we able to be courageous and walk the path we feel aligned with, that we are drawn to? Even if it is less known and less the norm? Can we trust ourselves to step out of our confines, our limitations, what might be socially acceptable and all the expected ways of being, doing, living and working?
I noticed that with own my approach and work ethic, over the years I may have changed practical aspects, days and times, the work I offer and how I present myself, but my underlying ethic and approach have remained more subconscious and not been brought into question.
I have just always worked the way I work.
Then this summer especially, I have gone through some profound inner spiritual shifts which have rippled into my work – specifically highlighting this underlying dormant behaviour. It asked me to look at how I am showing up, what are the foundation of my beliefs and actually, what really is true and right for me, rather than just the best business approach, or just working in the way that I always have.
I have always prided myself in having an integrity about the way I am in my work. I have tried to be as real and transparent as possible, so that people can get to know me and so making it easier for them to relax, open up to and trust their own transformation experience.
I too have always prided myself in doing the best that I can. Working hard. Sometimes going over and above to be of service. I give my work my all, not only for my clients, but because I love what I do and I want people to experience what I have in this journey of self-discovery and actualisation.
But amid all of this I have adhered to some kind of ‘socially accepted’ framework. That consistency is key. Longevity and staying the course is respected and rewarded. That doing and being the same, for years and years, means success.
But what happens if we outgrow something? What happens if something needs to change? What happens is our way of working does not respect and value us.
We can become entrapped, potentially unconsciously adhering to principles that are not our own. We end up working from foundations that are built upon false beliefs. We unconsciously end up towing the line, our head down, staying within limitations and guidelines that keep us small. We stick to familiar routines and our perceived expectations because we have learnt it is the done thing and because this is the way we have always done it.
I found that my work ethic incorporates a sense that I need to keep doing. In order to be successful, to be professional, to keep my business running, I need to keep being productive. I need to constantly be on top of, or even, ahead of things. I need to keep working to make things happen.
Without realising.. a rigidity sets in. An unconscious adherence that I need to stick to my plan. To the goals I’ve set. The guidelines I’ve aligned myself with. And alongside this, I keep looking outside to check and make sure that I am on track. That I have the client enquiries. That I am seen and heard by other people.
Unconsciously and involuntarily, I am looking to the outside for some kind of recognition, validation, reward, permission and even security.
We kind of stick to the ‘rules’ – but who’s rules? – hoping that we are doing it right and that all is and will be well.
Underlying is this fear too – if we stop, if we change our mind, if we do something different, if we walk the path less known, if we let go, if we be, if we down tools, the bottom will fall out. Something will go wrong. We will fall through the net. We will lose out. We might even be punished. Something or someone will surpass us and that we are not good enough.
All of this unconscious, subconscious belief, ethic, practice keeps us locked into a deception, a myth, a duality, slaves to ourselves.
I ask myself, where has this work ethic and etiquette come from anyway? Who put these norms and values in place? Who said it had to be like this? And, who are they to know and tell us how to live our lives and what is right for us?
We need to check our “why”? What really is my driver here? What is my underlying reasoning and meaning for the strategies, framework, structures, behaviours, etiquette that I live my life by?
Being able to trust and go with the ebb and flow of life, to make the changes we need to keep aligning in our truth, to be able to walk our path, to be open and allowing, to deeply know that everything will be and is ok – this is our truth and our Divine Birthright.
Somewhere, somehow, this power, this truth has been dissolved, disintegrated, discouraged.
I realised the subconscious work ethic I had that whispered “don’t change”, “stay within the recommended guidelines”, “be consistent” – so that you have integrity – is a lie. This way is a way of keeping me “under manners”. Of keeping me controlled. Of keeping me being a “good girl”. And, to whom? It certainly is not to me. And nor is it in line with nature and the natural ebb and flow and cycles of life.
We are meant to evolve, transform and grow. We are meant to experience life.
By breaking free of these (self) imposed constraints and trusting and listening to our own inner wisdom – the guidance, nudges, intuition, calling – we can access our Higher Selves. We can choose to follow our Soul, Spirit and Source’s wisdom.
And, with letting go, allowing ourselves, trusting that we can do and be and have what we want, comes serendipitous opportunities. Divinely-orchestrated interventions and miracles. And with that, our innate ability to flourish. To realise our dreams and live true to ourselves.
We are free to do what is right for us. What sits and feels true has more integrity, fulfilment, meaning, expansion and adventure than any imposed medium of conformity that does not sit right or true with our inherent nature.
And so, though this way of working is pretty new for me and the path ahead is unknown, I have to say, I have never felt so real, so aligned, so true and attuned in myself, in who I am and in living my calling. And for that I am blessed beyond words.
And as my work and my life morphs and changes, I am giving it my all, because I know this is right (regardless of the outside) for ME.
I cannot wait to share in this with you too!
