Written by: Laura Di Franco, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
“What do you think about... “ I cut myself off and paused. Why am I asking someone else what they think when I already know how I feel, and the feelings are strong and clear? Self-doubt, fear, second-guessing: That self-sabotaging BS has no room in my 2023 agenda.
Let’s do something different. Let’s move to another level of badassery in the mindset and manifestation department this year. Let’s trust ourselves and our intuition, inner wisdom, and power at a whole other level. Let’s do that to the point that when we catch ourselves asking the outside world for their opinion, we pause and are very careful about what and how we ask.
Asking for feedback the smarter way
The truth is, if you ask for feedback, you’ll get it. You’ll get so much of it you’ll be completely overwhelmed. When you ask a person or group of people what they think, you’ll get every end of the spectrum of possible opinions on something. And you’ll move back to that horrible feeling of confusion and overwhelm you started with—not helpful.
What should I do now?
I’ll tell you what you should do; practice honing your intuition. Stop doubting what you feel. Stop underestimating your power to tap into what’s good for your soul, life, or business. You can tap into that right this moment and every moment you want to. Perfect clarity is always there for the taking.
“The fact that you asked the question probably means you already know the answer.”
I spoke those words during a Zoom the other day and was really talking to myself. My healer friend asked for the group’s opinion about something, but it was easy to hear her self-doubt in the question. Isn’t it always easy to hear it in someone else?
That’s when I had a clue about my dilemma. The second I ask for the opinion means I already know the answer. Most of the time, my thoughts of confusion, overwhelm, or “I don’t know what to do” mean the situation is a ‘no’ because the confusion gives it away. When things are clear and awesome ‘yes’ inside me, there are no questions, no confusion, and I don’t need anyone else’s opinion.
BAM. Gosh, I love it when I have the secrets of the Universe.
Now, it’s a matter of remembering in the moment. It’s a matter of waking up and using that awareness to understand that self-doubt and second-guessing are clues. We just have to remember.
The strategic way to ask for opinions
It’s smart to ask for opinions and feedback when you’re creating something new. My business partners love doing polls and talking about their AB testing and due diligence. There’s only one problem. They aren’t asking their ideal clients—they’re asking everybody.
Just like niching for your perfect ideal client is important when you write your sales copy, it’s just as important (if not more) when you’re polling people for an opinion on what you’re creating.
Be careful about who you’re asking. And be careful about how you ask, making sure you’re being specific enough about your request. Either that, or you’ll have to be careful what you wish for in terms of feedback because you’ll get so much of it and so many different and completely opposite opinions you’ll be right back to where you started: confused.
The strategic way to ask for opinions is to come to a solid conclusion based on your own inner guide and then ask a very curated group of perfect ideal clients (people who’ve purchased your offers before and love them) what they think. Do that, and you’ll have important opinions you can base some of your decisions on.
Taking your power back
I noticed that I felt less empowered when I gave a lot of weight to someone else’s opinion. I literally felt weaker and less centered or grounded.
That happens when you stop trusting your gut, intuition, and inner wisdom. The problem with relying on someone else (even a trusted inner circle) for their opinion is that you move further away from your own center, the core soul GPS system that contains the directions for everything you want and need to make your life’s dreams come true.
Take your power back. Connect with your badass self this year. Practice listening to what she/he/they has to say. Amp up your meditation practice. Hire a breathwork teacher. Do some slow-flow yoga. Get back into your body-mind and connect with the most powerful source you have for every single decision you’re trying to make: yourself.
Cheers for the most powerful year ever!
Laura Di Franco, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Laura Di Franco, CEO of Brave Healer Productions, an award-winning publisher for holistic health and wellness professionals. She has 30 years of expertise in holistic physical therapy, 14 years of training in the martial arts, and her company has published over 50 Amazon bestselling books. She's a spoken-word poet, lover of dark chocolate, and has a contagious passion for helping you share brave words that build your business. BraveHealer.com
