The Answers Have To Be Yours
Genuine commitment arises when choices align with one's personal truths
Author’s note: This post originally appeared on www.coachb.co.
“The answers have to be yours.”
~ Peter Drucker
Recall a moment when someone told you what you should do next — did it feel empowering? Was there a surge of inspiration, or did it just irk you? For many, being told exactly what to do often leads to resistance rather than motivation. The reason is simple: genuine commitment arises when choices align with one's personal truths.
The most transformative decisions emerge from one's own introspections, built on individual histories, experiences, and deeply-held values. In this journey of self-discovery and action, the compass has to be calibrated to one's inner north. Only then can we tread the path that's truly meant for us.
Listening to one's own inner voice is an invaluable skill that fosters self-trust and informed decision-making. Cultivating this skill can lead to increased clarity and conviction in one's choices.
Here are three exercises designed to help individuals tune into their inner guidance:
Meditation and Mindfulness:
Practice: Begin with a simple meditation routine. Sit in a quiet place, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. As you inhale and exhale, let go of external distractions and turn your attention inward.
Purpose: Over time, this practice helps quiet the mind, making it easier to hear and recognize inner guidance. As you become more attuned to your thoughts and feelings, you'll find it easier to distinguish between momentary impulses and genuine intuition.
Perspectives: There are many different meditation apps that you can use to help either start or maintain your meditation practice. The most popular ones include Headspace and Calm. My personal favourite is Insight Timer, which offers thousands of free meditations on various topics and durations.
(Note: I do not use affiliation links in this post).
Journaling:
Practice: Spend a few minutes each day writing freely about your thoughts, feelings, and intuitions. Don't edit or filter; just write whatever comes to mind. Periodically, set aside time to review your entries.
Purpose: This exercise creates a space for self-reflection, allowing you to recognize patterns, recurring feelings, or intuitive nudges. Over time, you can learn to trust these insights as guiding signals from your inner self.
Perspectives: Here is an article that I wrote a few months back outlining my own approach to journaling and how it can help you gain clarity, get control of your thoughts, and connect you to your higher self.
Body Awareness Exercise:
Practice: Find a quiet space and close your eyes. Scan your body from head to toe, noticing any sensations, tensions, or relaxations. Now, think of a decision you're trying to make. As you consider each option, pay attention to how your body reacts. Does it tense up or relax? Do you feel light or heavy?
Purpose: The body often carries wisdom and can serve as a barometer for our feelings and intuitions. By tuning into bodily reactions in the context of decisions, you can gain insight into what truly aligns with your inner guidance.
Perspectives: Listening to the wisdom of my body instead of getting caught up in my head has been and continues to be an intentional practice for me. A few months back I was introduced to the practice of Yoga Nidra and Body Scan Meditation. My suggestion is Ally Boothroyd, a meditation and Yoga Nidra teacher.
Regularly practicing these exercises can strengthen your connection to your inner self, helping you to trust and act upon your own guidance with greater confidence.
With the complexities of life, where countless voices offer directions and suggest various paths, the most genuine and resonant guidance often comes from within. While external advice can offer valuable perspectives, the core of any decision must be anchored in one's own understanding and conviction.
Peter Drucker's profound assertion, “The answers have to be yours,” serves as a timeless reminder. It underscores the essence of personal authenticity and the irreplaceable value of self-trust.
In the end, the choices that resonate most deeply, that lead to genuine fulfillment, are those that echo the unique voice of one's inner guidance. Embrace that voice, for it holds the compass to your most authentic journey.
