Did you hear the one about the alley cat and the kitten?

One day an old alley cat is out for a walk when he notices a kitten chasing its tail around in circles. Slightly amused, the old alley cat watched this go on for quite some time. Finally he walked up to the kitten and said, “Excuse me little Kitten…I’ve been watching you for quite some time chasing your tail in circles, what exactly are you doing?”

Without stopping, the kitten replied, “I just got out of Cat Philosophy School…Today we learned two things…The first…is that the most important thing…to a cat…is happiness.”

There was an awkward silence as the kitten was clearly out of breath. “And the second thing?” asked the old alley cat.

The kitten took a deep breath, “The second thing is that…happiness is found…in our tail…So I’ve been…chasing my tail…because… when I catch it…*gasp*…I’ll have a hold…on…eternal happiness.”

The old alley cat was amused. “You know, I may have not had the same advantages you’ve had in life. And I never went to Cat Philosophy School. But I’ve been out on the streets for the last 13 years and I’ve learned the same thing.”

“Really…” said the kitten, “Did you…catch your tail…and get…eternal…happiness?”

The old alley cat shook his head, “No…I never caught it.”

The kitten stopped chasing his tail and turned to face the alley cat, “Well…what happened then?”

The old alley cat said, “It’s true that happiness is the most important thing in the world for a cat. And it’s true that it is indeed located in our tail.”

He paused before continuing.

“But I've discovered that if I go about my business…and live my life the way I want too…my tail follows me wherever I go.” 

The Alley Cat Story - Wayne Dyer

Sam Holman is a Guru of Brave, working with women to unlearn whatever has held them back in the past so they can break free from chasing their tales and live the life they truly want. Get out of your rut and get your free e-book HERE.

We often say 'I feel stuck in a rut' but how can you really be feeling stuck (unless you are literally standing in glue of course)? The feeling of stuckness is created by thought, and the likelihood is the thoughts you have are stuck in your mind, going round and round, with no exit strategy.

So consider this, when was the last time you did something differently? 

Can you remember that time when life was sweeet? Then BANG! You were walking along in your happy bubble and you fell down a hole, you didn't see it coming, and now you are at the bottom of this rut, looking back up towards what was, wondering how you got here, feeling a bit lost and confused, and wishing things could be how they were again, wondering how you can get back to that place.

If this sounds familiar then it's time to get out of that rut.

Just imagine that you can turn around.  When we are so busy looking at what was, we are not getting the learning of what is, and very simply put, when you turn around you get to see a different perspective... and a way out. 

So ask yourself what was missing from that happy bubble that meant you found yourself here, what can you now focus on getting that will allow you to turn around, and take the next step towards your bigger and better bubble. Take that step, then another, and eventually you will be free of the darkness...just watch out for those holes!

Sam Holman is a Guru of Brave and works with women who are holding themselves back from living their full life potential to unlearn old fears and beliefs, remove negative emotions, and feel free to create the life they really want, with confidence. Get out of your rut with the Braveheart DIRECT online coaching programme. Secure your place TODAY.

Not!

But the other day I met someone who told me she had taken the leap, and there were people she was leaving behind at work who thought it was a stupid idea.

"What?" I said incredulously (this is my word of the week - use it, it's great!)
"Well," the brave heart said, "there are loads of people who have said they think it's great but I am leaving this amazing job to go and study, so that means I won't be earning a regular income."
"Good," I said, "and you have obviously worked out that you can make it work financially, and it's the best thing for you at this time, and you are thinking of all the extra income you will get when you have that qualification and confidence to live your dream life....so who has come up to you and said it's a stupid idea??" I said, still incredulous.
"Well...er, no one has actually said it, but they haven't congratulated me and I just know they think it."

Oh.

Firstly, when you think you know what someone else thinks (I don't care how well you know them) - you don't know! That is your thought that you have to think to imagine someone else is thinking it - make sense?

Thinking someone believes that leaving your job is a stupid idea has come from your fears. Now, negative emotions or beliefs or decisions made at an unconscious level are there for good intentions, so don't go getting all angry at yourself for having them. In this instance, the decision had already been made, so the unconscious belief which presented itself as a thought in someone else's head (much easier to digest if it's them not you right?) is there to protect you, to remind you to make sure you have a plan in place. 

BUT, if that thought is keeping you where you are, in a job you don't want to be in, dreaming of a life you do want, feeling frustrated, angry, or sad, then you are giving in to fear and buying into a limitation that is holding you back. By the way, if someone actually does voice to you that 'it's a stupid idea', simply thank them for their feedback.

Feedback is not always about you and is certainly not as negative as you might first believe...this could be their desire/their fear, or it could be born from love - they want to make sure you are going to be OK and you've thought it through. It's worth deciding what their feedback is all about, don't spend too long on it, but once you have decided what works for you, then move on. If you think it is from a place of their fear and is tapping into yours simply say DELETE, DELETE, DELETE.

If you are worrying about what other people think, you are thinking it... won't it be better when you focus on you, on what you really want, on the positives in your day, in every bit of feedback you can be grateful for, and in all the resources you have to go for what you want today.

And if someone does voice what you think they're thinking, you can deal with that then, and be in a much more positive and resourceful state.

Be brave, be beautiful.

Sam Holman is a Guru of Brave, working with women to unlearn unwanted beliefs and behaviours to gain clarity and confidence to focus on what they really want. As a qualified careers adviser she can help you make that career change and remove any self doubt along the way too. She offers a unique brave bootcamp, an online coaching programme to breakthrough to your brave. Find out more - www.breakthroughtoyourbrave.info