A top executive confided that she always prioritized others over herself. As she spoke, tears welled up. She wanted to focus on self-care and had made progress, yet felt it wasn't enough.
I suggested a simple, physical exercise: take a step back to symbolize where she was months ago, then a big step forward for her recent growth. As she stepped forward, she smiled.
"If this development had a name," I asked, "what would you call it?" She laughed: "I don't give a sh*t what others think of me." Then hesitated: "Is it okay to say that?" "Absolutely," I said. "Moments ago you were near tears, now you're laughing. This is the right direction."
"But this isn't the end," she said. "If you took the next step, what would it be called?" She stepped again: "I listen to myself." And the next: "I say it out loud." Complete? She shook her head, took a final step: "I do it."
Her whole demeanour transformed — posture straight, confidence radiating. We walked the four steps again to reinforce them:
- I don't give a sh*t.
- I listen to myself.
- I say it out loud.
- I do it.
In under 15 minutes she moved from self-doubt to authentic self-assurance. Letting go of others' expectations let her embrace her true self.
