Stage 09 · Guard your energy · Lesson 1 of 3 Why honesty invites pushback
  1. See
  2. Heal
  3. Gather
  4. Trust
  5. Express

Stage 09 · Guard your energy Lesson 1 of 3

Why honesty invites pushback

Expect that some people won't like the more honest you, and understand why.

Read it instead

Lesson one. Why honesty invites pushback. Expect that some people won't like the more honest you, and understand why. Pushback is when people resist the changes in you. As you become more honest, some people who were used to the old you will feel uneasy. That's about their comfort, not your worth. Some will come with you, some won't, and that's okay. Knowing who leaves you lighter and who leaves you smaller helps you choose where your energy goes. Why it matters. When you expect pushback, it can't push you back into performing. For example. A friend jokes that you've "gone all deep" since you started sharing. Or: A colleague goes quiet when you stop taking on their work. Where this leads. Stage 9 protects your energy as you show up more honestly. Hold on to this. When you change, people who were used to the old you may feel uneasy. That's about their comfort, not your worth. Not everyone will come with you, and that's okay.

  1. Stage opening
  2. 9.1
  3. 9.2
  4. 9.3
  5. ?

Hold on to this

When you change, people who were used to the old you may feel uneasy. That's about their comfort, not your worth. Not everyone will come with you, and that's okay.

The lesson

Pushback is when people resist the changes in you. As you become more honest, some people who were used to the old you will feel uneasy.

That's about their comfort, not your worth. Some will come with you, some won't, and that's okay. Knowing who leaves you lighter and who leaves you smaller helps you choose where your energy goes.

Why it matters

When you expect pushback, it can't push you back into performing.

Where this leads

  1. See
  2. Heal
  3. Gather
  4. Trust
  5. Express

Stage 9 protects your energy as you show up more honestly.

For example

  • A friend jokes that you've "gone all deep" since you started sharing.

  • A colleague goes quiet when you stop taking on their work.

A line from RumiClose
When the remedy you have offered only increases the disease, then leave him who will not be cured, and tell your story to someone who seeks the truth.
Rumi, Masnavi, tr. Kabir Helminski

In plain words

Not everyone wants what you offer. Give your energy to the people who are looking for it.

For this lesson

Some people won't come with you. Let them go kindly, and share with those who are seeking.

Your practice · about 5 min

List the people in your life, first names only. Picture each one, and mark them Lighter or Smaller.

Why it mattersYour first feeling is honest information. There's nothing to decide yet.

01

The people in your life. First names are enough.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
02

Picture each one. Do they leave you lighter, or smaller?

Beside each one on your list, write

  • Lighter
  • Smaller

ThenNothing to decide yet. Just notice.

Need a nudge? Turn over a hint.