Wherever you are on that spectrum, one thing for sure that I’ve learned in the 20 years I’ve been consciously pursuing my dreams: if you are feeling restless or discontent with some area of your life, then stop and pay attention.Feelings of discontent and longings for something else, even when you don’t know for sure toward what you are being drawn, are actually calls from a higher, deeper part of yourself to pursue your greater good, the MORENESS of life.

Oftentimes, you can discover true desire by first noticing your discontent.

This is what happened to me two years ago…

I was working in what I considered my “dream job” at an incredible mission-driven start-up company. I had a fantastic boss (who happened to be a dear friend). I worked with inspiring, kind-hearted and driven people on things I was really passionate about. I also got to work from home, so my job had a great amount of flexibility, too.

And yet, I wasn’t truly happy.

What I noticed is that my body was speaking to me in VOLUMES—I was experiencing a lot of physical pain in my shoulders and neck and was having to make weekly trips to my chiropractor to get realigned.

I noticed that I was feeling emotionally and physically drained at the end of my work day. I was moving so fast in a very demanding marketing director role that I barely had time to catch my breath.

I noticed that I felt confined in a 45+ hour work week and that I longed to carve out more time for my young son, my husband–and ME. Just a simple trip to the grocery store seemed like a challenge, much less getting a spa treatment, which I so craved.

I noticed that I longed to set my own workday hours and take most Fridays off. I was always so envious of my friends who had their own businesses and could set their own schedules–and here I was working on someone else’s schedule!

I also noticed that I longed to make more money and realized I had pretty much been at the same income level with only small increases for the last 15 years.

And, more importantly than the money or hours, I noticed that I had been playing small and wasn’t FULLY stretching myself and giving my gifts.

So, it was the day after my 44th birthday when I finally said, “Enough is enough.”

Enough with the physical pain and these constricted feelings!

Enough with all the years in my career helping other people be successful! I realized it was MY time to be successful. It was my time to really SHINE.

So, the most powerful thing I did in that moment was to make a decision.

I decided to say YES to me, YES to my wellbeing, YES to my family’s wellbeing, I decided to say YES to having control over my schedule and the freedom I had been longing for. I decided to say YES to come out from hiding, stretch my wings and soar as far as I could go.

At that time, I had no idea it would be coaching! I did know that I wanted my own business. I did know I had a passion for transformation and helping others transform their lives.

So, what did I do? I started taking steps–without knowing the full WHAT I was moving towards, much less the HOW of getting there.

It was on a Friday when I made that decision, and by the following Monday I had talked to my boss about cutting back my work hours and things were in motion around this job shift.

The very next week–13 days after I made my decision to shift my life–I was lying in bed one morning and the thought came, “What about coaching?”

And when I went to check my email that morning, would you believe it, there was an email with the subject line, “Want to be a life coach? This is for you…” 

And my journey as a Dreambuilder Coach began!

I share that story to say that when I paid close attention to my pain and feelings of discontent and started taking steps in the direction of my wellbeing and ALIVENESS, doors opened. I started following the breadcrumbs to my true desire, which led me to being a Dreambuilder Coach and the incredibly rewarding work I get to do with clients today!

My invitation to you today is to notice what you’re noticing, and pay particular attention to feelings of longing and discontent. Honor them. Because they are clues and signposts to your biggest dreams.

Here’s to you living a life you truly LOVE in every area!