Have you ever put something on, only for someone to look at you and say, “Oh, you can’t wear that!”

You might pause for a second, taken aback; then you’ll probably go inside and change.

This experience is more common than we think, and it doesn’t only apply to what we wear. In fact, it applies to what we do, the decisions we make, and the type of person we become. As we go through our life, we’re confronted with ideas and advice from all angles. But our truth is always found within.

This blog post shares 3 steps on how to prioritize your internal voice, even when others want you to do differently.

1. It starts from within. 

It’s all well and good to seek knowledge externally, but doing so should be secondary to listening to ourselves.

You are your most important stakeholder. Being clear on your opinions, ideas, and thoughts is pretty important to getting buy-in (…especially your own!)

In order to do that, dedicate the time and space to prioritize your internal voice. This can be as simple as meditating in the morning, taking a quiet walk in the afternoon, or journaling at night. Little rituals can save a lot of mental grief and second-guessing down the line, because they allow you to tune into how you’re feeling.

Emotional attunement translates into knowing where we are, what we want, and how we’ll work to get it. Carving out the time to pause is always step one.

2. Identify your stakeholders. 

In the business world, we create elaborate organizational charts, taking the time to map out our CEO, leadership team, employees, and stakeholders. We analyze these details and discuss how to achieve success and meet quarterly goals.

While you may have done this many times at work, chances are you’ve never done it for yourself.

We all have personal stakeholders: people who give us a nudge when we’re not following our dreams. They’re our cheerleaders, coaches, and the wise counsel when we feel unsure of what to do.

Take a moment to write down 3-5 of your personal stakeholders. These are the people to call on when you’re in need or could use a second opinion. You can always add to the list, but keep it short to avoid confusion.

3. Think of your life in chapters. 

A wise friend once told me, “We usually know what we want. We just have to get quiet enough to listen.”

Our life is like a book. You always have the option to flip back and draw upon prior experiences, but you don’t want to get stuck in a chapter you’ve already read.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• What chapters have I already written?
• What chapters do I have left to write?

Jot down concepts, words, or titles that come up — whatever calls to you. Use what you came up with to reflect on what you’ve achieved and what you have left to discover. This will strengthen your internal judgment and confidence.

Your internal voice is unbeatable. 

The same voice that we second-guess at times can be the one to wake up and say, “I want to start my own business this year.”

We are ever-evolving beings. By tuning within and listening to ourselves, we have the power to change our habits, reality, and life story.

To find your internal voice, remember to do the following:

• Start from within
• Identify your stakeholders
• Think of your life in chapters

Let me know how this works out for you. I’m always here to help!

Your coach and friend,

-Gabriella