Treat discomfort as a teacher
Do you dream of making heartfelt, purposeful change, but struggle with fear, self-doubt and procrastination, which ultimately stops you going after what you want?
If so, you are definitely not alone! Many of my clients have experienced exactly this, and Sian Aherne is one of them.
In this episode, I talk to Sian about the fear and discomfort that has held her back for years, and the approaches she’s now applying that have helped her navigate it and get unstuck to embark on a new career path and build her own business.
Through perseverance and a fabulous “Let’s Pretend” approach, she is now qualified in her new field and is running her practice as a nutrition coach alongside her PR and Comms freelancing.
If you do listen – you can also learn about my concept of little acts of productive discomfort (a sneaky way of tricking yourself into trying new things and having mini adventures in being brave!).
In this episode we discuss
- How Sian was, in her own words, “getting in her own way” when trying to make a heartfelt change
- How Sian proved to herself that staying in her comfort zone wasn’t actually all that comfortable!
- How it’s possible to re-train your brain and get beyond negative internal narratives like “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll be found out”
- How the game of “Let’s Pretend” was helpful in approaching change in a less serious way
- Now that she’s not holding herself back and is proactively making steps – she can start to see the fuller opportunities available in her new chosen profession
- How Sian feels now, being able to do the work that she’s highly interested in and building subject matter expertise in
I also share the concept of little acts of productive discomfort, which feels challenging to begin with, but the more you do them, the more you become addicted to trying new things. Then you start to feel a lot braver…like you are having lots of mini adventures!
If fear and procrastination have been holding you back from pursuing the change you are looking for, try and give some of the things that Sian has done a go. You may just find they really help 😊
A bit more about Sian Aherne
Sian Aherne spent 20-something years in PR and communications working with all sorts of organisations, but often pondered purpose and what else life could look like.
After numerous false starts over the years, she’s finally taking a leap. Alongside her day job, she’s now a certified nutrition coach, working work one-on-one, in small groups and with corporates to help people feel more energised and improve their mood.
If you would like to know more about Sian, or would like to connect with her, please do visit her website, drop her an email or join her on LinkedIn.
There is a community with this show
If you enjoy this podcast show, then you will definitely enjoy being part of the Dream Chasers Unite community.
Come and meet, learn from and be inspired by awesome, like-minded people who are on their own Dream Chaser journeys (at various stages).
Find out what’s possible, by seeing what other people are doing to determine and go after their ideal careers and lives.
Curious about changing your career?
Book a call with me to chat about how I work with people just like you every day. Life shouldn’t be hard at work.
Finding what lights you up, brings you joy and gets you paid at the same time – well, that’s a eureka moment. Right?
Find out about my Career Transition Programme and book a call with me.
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