The issue of trust has arisen frequently in coaching recently so it’s perhaps worth spending a little time focusing on what this means to us.
A simple definition is someone or something being reliable, honest, effective, good and faithful.
I’d like you to take a moment to think of whom you trust most in your life currently. And then why?
Perhaps your partner or parent, your son or daughter, perhaps your best friend, a sibling or even a professional: your GP, coach, therapist, personal trainer or such like.
When thinking of whom you trust, I wonder did any of you consider ‘myself’? I trust myself the most. Who did? Who does? It’s a consideration for sure. Wouldn’t it be appropriate to trust ourselves more than anyone else? We know ourselves better than anyone else that’s certain and more than anyone can ever know us. Perhaps it’s time to connect better with our own being!
Have consideration about what aspects others might trust about you. Maybe you are responsible or honest, intelligent or skilled in a particular area, perhaps generous or kind, readily available or helpful? Are you hardworking or loyal, caring or action oriented? Take some time to reflect on your trustworthiness.
As I’m writing this my son is watching ‘I, Robot’ in the background. It’s a fictional film about robots being programmed to live in perfect harmony with humans on earth. ‘Trust your judgment’ is a line I’ve just heard. Oh yes! This is so true.
How much do we trust our own judgement, based on our strengths, our morales and values, our gut instinct or intuition? When have they served you well?
To live a happier life we need to learn to listen more to our heart and soul, to follow the path which feels right emotionally and joyfully. Do you allow that for yourself? Do you trust yourself to follow what feels true or right? Or do you think and act in a way that you ‘should’, with obligation, responsibility, guilt or through commitment, following your head more than your heart?
It’s about balance of course but connecting with how we feel, with what feels the right thing to do is a great starting point even if we can’t yet allow ourselves to follow that path.
It is also about knowing what we want or deserve, desire or feel drawn to.
Sometimes we need to firstly build our own confidence, belief, esteem or sense of deserving too. We can help this by understanding our strengths and skills, our talents and what others trust about us, as mentioned above. Review your list!
Trust yourself and you will live a better, more fulfilled and truly real life.
Trust your judgement, indeed.
