060: Could freedom mean doing the things you don't like?
Simple actions that can unlock a new level of power —the power to choose what truly matters, regardless of whether you like it or not
I don't know about you, but I don’t like going to the gym at all. It’s been a recurring topic throughout my life. I love moving my body and enjoy exercising, but for some reason, going to the gym just isn’t my thing!
However, toning my body, getting stronger, and building more muscles are incredibly supportive of the activities I do love.
Despite my commitment, I always experience resistance before going and during my time there.
Couple of weeks ago as I was lifting weight, I noticed my thoughts, "This is boring as hell," followed by my own judgment that I should find ways to enjoy it.
It's been over four months of consistent commitment, by now, I should have less resistance and just enjoy this.
In that moment, I had a spark of a new thought: the real issue wasn't that I didn't like going to the gym, but rather that I believed I had to like it. I experienced resistance, and instead of simply being with it, I thought I needed to change that feeling.
I separated myself from my opinion, and my level of presence in my body increased significantly. I was doing the same set of exercises, but the weight felt lighter, and I was able to feel my muscles stronger. I was fully there.
I understood that there was an energy rushing through my body that needed to be experienced. It's not the most comfortable one, but it's the same energy I often encounter when I need to do other boring tasks.
The boring tasks we avoid, the ones where immediate results aren’t visible, and the small things we overlook because they seem insignificant are likely the very things holding back our creative energy and keeping us in a repetitive cycle, instead of allowing us to move to a more expansive state.
The energy of resistance simply needed acknowledgment, and I had to create the space to feel it. It wasn't about intellectualizing or having positive thoughts about the gym or the boring tasks it was about being present to what was present.
My belief that I needed to enjoy the gym was actually preventing me from accessing the part of myself that is strong and disciplined enough to do what needs to be done, rather than just pursuing what feels good in the moment.
Reflecting on that insight in relation to my business and personal life, I've accomplished more in the past weeks than I have in the past years. I had a significant list of tasks pending, such as closing my business in Canada, organizing my taxes to one country, and closing accounts while transferring things from Canada and Costa Rica to where I am now.
I believe that was possible because I was able to create a space between my essence and my opinions, and decided to take action based on what needed to be done to support my growth and vision, rather than just focusing on what I liked.
My true self desires to fully experience life, rather than limiting myself to only doing things that feel good.
On my path of evolution, doing the things I don't like is freedom.
Reflecting back and trying to map out how I was able to move through resistance and get so much done in a short period of time, I came up with these five simple steps:
Make a list of the things you need to do but keep pushing away (all of them).
Block a time in your calendar every week to dedicate to these things (I choose Monday morning for 1.5 hours – fresh in the week and tackling the things I resist first).
Sit down and notice your thoughts and the discomfort in your body.
Ask the question: Who is behind the person avoiding discomfort and doing boring things? Don't spend to much time here, just acknowledge and connect with the powerful you.
Then ask: How do I feel knowing that this action now is supporting the vision of where I want to go? Feel it :)
And do it.
These simple actions unlocked a new level of power for me—the power to choose what truly matters, regardless of whether I like it or not.
It was liberating, and I felt a great sense of ease and joy in being able to do the things I did not enjoy but knew would help me move forward powerfully.
I am so proud of myself. I accepted that I don't need to find ways to like everything, and that was helpful for my self-acceptance too. I still don't like the gym, but I appreciate the results of my efforts there, and that's enough to keep me showing up.
I am free to choose what to do based on my vision, not on my resistance or need for immediate comfort or feeling good.
Happenings
Writing Circle
We are starting our Writing Circle tomorrow, and I am very excited about it. It's part of our Sacred Growth Club, and the initiative was born from the need to create more time to write while also creating space to receive feedback and embody the courage to share our messy and imperfect thoughts.
If you want to establish your presence in the online world, whether you're a writer or not, it's essential to share your thoughts and perspectives with clarity. This isn't an overnight process; it requires practice. I'm thrilled that we will have this space within our community, and I'm excited to have this space for myself as well, as writing more has been on my list for some time.
Sacred Business Network
Marketing is not my expertise, but by working closely with Phil, I am learning so much about what healthy and organic marketing truly is.
It's about connection and support.
It's about finding ways to collaborate and being around like-minded people who are willing to move forward in a powerful way.
A strong foundation is not built from paying for ads or sharing non-stop on social media, but rather from genuine connection and being with people who are willing to share their light and reflect back yours.
Out of the need for more connection and truth in the online world, we created the Sacred Business Network.
Sacred Business Network is for you if you're building or growing a heart-centered business and want to connect with other entrepreneurs who understand that everything in life and business is connected. If you want support and feel support by others.
Alone we go faster together we go further.
Here is what I want to share this week …
Effortless Living Book
I love the teaching and simplicity in this book. The idea of non-action is far from not taking action; instead, it involves connecting with what is present now and taking inspired actions.
I related to these teachings with the separation I felt from my essence and my opinions, and the power that emerges once you stop all the stories created in your head about your own judgments about what life is or what it was supposed to be.
Our opinions complicate things a lot and create a lot of resistance in the flow of life, and often that is the reason why things feel so hard. Once you detach, things are just things.
I strongly recommend reading it.