This week I was invited to partake in a project with great possibilities and yet that little voice inside whispered, “Don’t.”
Did I mention that it was a good project? With great people? And much promise?
Yet I can’t shake the sacred echo of “Don’t”.
Lately I’ve been reading Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality by Dr. Henry Cloud. One of the best pieces of leadership advice he ever received came from someone who said he doesn’t get involved in projects that have “the cringe factor.”
What is the cringe factor?
It’s that big gulp or giant breath or grin-n-bear it face you must put on as you enter into the partnership or project. It’s the gut check that says no when everything else screams yes!
What happens when you ignore the little voice whispering “don’t”?
Nothing good.
Sooner or later it will catch up with you. Even if nothing goes runs amuck, the sleepless nights, the additional stress, the unnecessary worry—all promise to catch up to you.
What are you considering right now and in your gut you know…
*This feels a little off.
*I don’t feel comfortable with this.
*This opposes what I believe in.
*I don’t really want this.
*This is going to be stressful.
*I am already feeling resentful.
*I wish I had not said yes.
*The numbers say yes but everything else says no.
*I know this feeling and it didn’t go well before.
*I’m going to lose sleep over this one.
If you ignore those gut check moments, the worst thing that will happen isn’t what’s going to happen in this particular situation or deal. The worst thing that will happen is that you’ll stop having gut checks at all.
Right on, Margaret! I just bowed out of a situation that I should never have been involved with in the first place.
I’m at peace now!
Blessings!
I think this is bang on, except for certain situations. I am an introvert by nature, so I tend to have those gut reactions to anything new that I try that is extroverted. Like a healthcare conference I volunteered for. I wanted to, I loved it, I was glad I did it. But walking into a room full of people I didn’t know for the first time? My body screamed NO! But I think it’s a perfect reminder to ask yourself why you are doing it in the end. And for me, that was worth it. But, there are times when I need to listen to it more.
Excellent and timely! Thank you for allowing God to speak through you.