Escape the Exhausting Trap: Embrace Your Superpowers and Say NO to Ill-suited Spaces by Chelene Knight
When you show up for people, places, and projects that aren’t a good fit, exhaustion is inevitable. Understanding yourself and your unique superpowers are essential tools for guiding you away from spaces that aren't well suited for you. Let’s talk about avoiding the exhausting trap of trying to change ourselves to fit in where we don't belong.
You know me, I'm all about creating processes and systems to stay organized, and I believe that self-awareness plays a significant role here too. Let me share an example that might resonate with you – the experience of teaching in an academic setting that just didn't suit my way of teaching and guiding.
I once found myself inside a prestigious academic institution, teaching a subject I was passionate about, creative writing. On paper, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I could set my own schedule since some sessions could be delivered asynchronously. I was able to build out my own syllabus, and the pay was decent enough. However, as I stepped into the virtual classroom, I quickly realized that the teaching methods and institution expectations didn't align with my natural teaching style.
I'm all about interactive, hands-on learning, and deep listening to students' needs. But the academic setting I was in emphasized a more traditional, lecture-based approach with rigid grading criteria. It felt like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. After a semester, it was so clear that this wasn’t the right space for me. I couldn’t really show up in a way that would allow me to best use my skills. A non-negotiable for me.
I could've tried to fit into the system, change how I teach, and pretend to be someone I'm not. But honestly, that would've been exhausting and wouldn't have been good for me or my students. Instead, I followed my gut and realized that this just wasn't my place. But you know what? It wasn't a waste of time at all. I learned a ton about myself, and that clarity led me to my real passion – creative balance coaching where I can apply my deep listening skills to the big task of helping folks achieve a better work-life balance. That's when I created my Thrive Coaching Program, where I can use all those cool processes and systems I believe in for personal growth tracking.
I encourage you to create a "superpower inventory" and use it as a compass when evaluating opportunities. If you need help, consider checking out the seasonal Say No With Love Workshop. Think about what truly energizes you and where your natural talents shine. If a space doesn't align with your unique superpowers, it's okay to acknowledge that and seek out spaces that do.
Let's always honour our unique selves and superpowers. It's not about avoiding challenges – those can be opportunities for growth – but it's about staying true to who we are and finding spaces where we can shine authentically. We have control over how we show up.
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