Are You Listening To Your Inner Voice?

We need to learn to listen to more than just others

We all have an inner voice. It is that part of us that tugs at us to consider and try things beyond our comfort zone. We wrestle with it. We deny it. And, sometimes, we accept what it is asking of us.

I have come to believe we need to listen more to our voice from within.

We hear plenty of voices daily, and it can be a non-stop barrage of interruptions. They are both verbal and digital. Constant notifications can occur all day long and often prevent us from focusing on what matters to us. We need to stop more often and hear what we are telling ourselves.

Lesson to Learn

We get many requests and demands daily. So much of our to-do list is set by the needs and demands of others. They are usually essential needs and wants. However, they are not the only needs and desires we must give attention to.

We have our own deeply held needs and wants. We have to be open to entertaining them.

We need to take the step of beginning to identify them.

We can get so caught up in doing what we need to do for others that we can ignore our own needs, wants, and dreams. It’s critical to listen to your inner voice.

Answer for Me

I can get so busy with endless needs and demands. I know many people feel like this. This can use up all of our time.

I have found it necessary to stop routinely, consider what I need, and ask myself critical questions.

How am I feeling now? What do I find exciting? What, given the opportunity, would I do just for my wellbeing? What tasks on my list do I need to say no to in order to work on a priority that is mine? Taking the time to pause and listen to my inner voice is essential to balancing the desire to serve others and remain healthy and balanced.

During this pandemic, I have found staycation days vital to slowing down enough to hear the small voice from within. Moments away from the daily grind have given me a chance to think and listen to what I am experiencing. Even a half-day or day off can allow me to reflect on my next set of priorities.

Daily pauses are also critical to my ability to be effective. I need them each day to stay focused.

Action

We hear voices constantly. The external voices at work and home are essential. So is your inner voice that guides you.

Find time to listen to the inner voice that helps you discern the best use of your time and talent.

Our time is the most limited resource we have. Our abilities are uniquely ours to give and use. When we make time for us to hear what our conscience is telling us, we can devote our efforts to what truly matters. Business can become an excuse for not doing what we know we need to do.

Take the time to prioritize your efforts, focus on what matters most, and review how you are doing. Trust your inner voice to guide you.

Daily Action

Set aside time each day to reflect on your priorities.

Is your life still in alignment with what you hold most dear? Are you serving those who depend on you? Are you taking care of your health, prioritizing rest, and managing your energy level? How are you spending your time and talent?

When you set time aside to determine if you live in accordance with your mission, you can focus and feel good about your choices.

Finally, celebrate small wins. There are usually so many successes we need to congratulate ourselves for. They become our motivation to do even more.

To learn more about leadership, visit me at www.macny.org.

To get a copy of my book Present-Future Leader, go to www.amazon.com.