You know that feeling of doubt you get when faced with a decision—especially when it’s something good or helpful, maybe even something you want?
You hesitate. You wonder:
- Why don’t I feel like taking action?
- Do I really have the money right now?
- Maybe I already have too much on my plate.
- What if I invest and nothing comes of it?
And then the big question hits:
How do you know if it’s your inner wisdom guiding you… or fear trying to keep you stuck?
The truth is, most of the time it’s not wisdom—it’s resistance. And resistance has a favorite mask it likes to wear: fear.
Why We’re Wired to Resist Change
Here’s the science (my favorite part!). Humans are literally wired to choose the safety of the known over the possibilities of the unknown.
That’s your amygdala at work—the part of your brain that processes fear and anxiety. It developed long before your logical frontal cortex, and it always reacts first.
Here’s the path:
- Sensation comes in (what you see, hear, feel, smell, taste).
- It travels through your brainstem into the amygdala.
- The amygdala fires an emotion—fear, excitement, hesitation.
- Only then does the information reach your frontal cortex for logic and decision-making.
In other words: every thought has an emotion attached. And trying to argue with fear only digs it in deeper.
The good news? You can retrain your brain by creating new neural patterns—replacing doubt with possibility and resistance with intentional action.
A Real-Life Example
Imagine this: A friend offers to take you to lunch at your favorite restaurant.
You’re flattered. Excited, even. Who says no to free lunch and good company?
But you also had a carefully planned workday. You’re “in the zone” building momentum in your business.
The thoughts start flying:
- Maybe I can skip a couple of tasks.
- I wasn’t comfortable with them anyway.
- This could be a reward for working hard.
But then, if you’re honest with yourself, you realize: part of the appeal is avoiding the discomfort of growing your business.
Here’s the turning point. With awareness, you see that your hesitation isn’t about whether lunch is “right” or “wrong.” It’s about fear—fear of failure, fear of success, fear of discomfort.
Now you can make a clear decision. Maybe you:
- Tell your friend you’d love to see her, but need to stick to your schedule.
- Ask to reschedule for a better time.
- Or go, but intentionally adjust your plan so you don’t lose momentum.
Either way, you’re no longer acting from fear. You’re choosing with clarity and awareness. And that’s a win.
A Simple 6-Step Process to Decide with Awareness
Next time you feel stuck, here’s how to sort fear from wisdom:
- Pause and consider what’s being offered.
- Breathe and notice how you feel—emotions, beliefs, sensations in your body.
- Place a hand on your heart. Keep breathing as you consider your options.
- Ask: Which choice feels aligned with my goals? Which feels like avoidance?
- Name the fear. Call it out so it loses its hidden power.
- Replace it. Consciously choose a thought that feels empowering and aligned with what you want.
Do this for just 5–6 breath cycles, and you’ll shift into calm, present-centered awareness.
The more you practice, the easier it becomes—until choosing from clarity feels natural. This is literally rewiring your brain for success.
Final Thought
Your brain was designed to keep you safe. But you can teach it to keep you expanding, creating, and thriving.
Each time you pause, breathe, and choose from awareness instead of fear, you’re firing new, positive neural connections that lead to the life you want.
And if you’re ready to go deeper—releasing those old doubts for good—it may be time to work with a coach who can guide you through the process with personalized support and accountability.
🌟 Ready to stop letting fear run the show?
If you’re ready to make clear, confident choices and finally move past resistance, let’s talk. I offer personalized coaching to help you rewire your mindset, release doubts, and create the life you truly want.
Your next breakthrough is just one decision away.
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