The benefit of shifting from a mindset of ‘THE’ path to ‘A’ path

The benefit of ​shifting from a mindset of ‘THE’ path to ‘A’ path

We often have moments in life that we feel the need to choose a path, a direction, a way forward. This happens throughout our lives. It might be as we’re finishing secondary school and deciding whether to study or start working, and if we choose one or the other, which course to study, or which type of job to seek. It might be around deciding which career path, or job to pursue longer term, or it might be around if and when to have children. Maybe it’s indecision around whether to change life direction at key moments in your life, what to do as you approach the end of your career, or it could be one of many other decision points in our lives.

These moments can be confusing and we can feel very unsure of which direction to go. We may even feel that there’s a ‘RIGHT path’, or that we need to find ‘THE path’. This binary mindset, or sense of there being a ‘right’ and a ‘wrong’ path creates a false dichotomy, and one which can leave us paralysed, procrastinating, anxious or stuck in indecision.

What if we were to shift this? What if we were to move from thinking about ‘THE’ path, to ‘A’ path? Notice the impact this has on your thinking. Notice the impact this has on your energy, your emotions and the options that open up for you.

When we feel there’s a right path we must follow, and by default that the others are wrong, we may not even start. And yet, if we were to adopt a mindset that we can just choose ‘a’ path and start down that road, then we can see where it takes us, how the path branches and the opportunities it brings. If we don’t start we’ll never know what could have opened up for us, what the opportunities could be. And if we don’t like the way forward after starting, we can always redirect back to an alternative option. We might feel that we can’t, but we always have choices.

So, if you’re waiting for ‘THE path’, or the ‘right path’, I encourage you to simply start down ‘A path', exploring, seeing where it leads you and what other paths open out that you can explore further. And if there’s anxiety or fear around starting, notice if there’s also anxiety and fear around not starting, or what other emotions you feel about not starting. You might notice that it’s a matter of choosing which type of discomfort you would like to work through. Then you can choose which path will lead to shifting these emotions into excitement, curiosity and an openness to what your future might hold.

Obviously reflection and consideration of your options is important, and encouraged. You wouldn’t start a journey in a car you knew was unsafe, or fly internationally without a passport, so by all means, do some reflection, planning and research. And then, start down a path, because despite what we tell ourselves, there’s rarely only one ‘right’ path. Whichever path you take, cherish the journey, the learning and all the experiences you’ll have along the way.

Warmly,

Laurenne

Laurenne Di Salvo
Coach (PCC) | Clinical Hypnotherapist | Facilitator
0413 776564
www.harvestcoaching.com.au