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Shackles on, shackles off?

In reading Steering by Starlight by Martha Beck, she explains this term – shackles on or shackles off.  For me, it’s been a good measure of knowing what’s right for me.  The concept could be boiled down to asking yourself: am I forcing myself to do something because I feel like I should (shackles on) or am I doing it because I feel good about it?  Does this bring me satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment (shackles off)?

I was reminded of this just yesterday when my brilliant coach was talking to me about a presentation I’m doing in January.  I told her that I just wasn’t sure if presentations and workshops were the right thing for me to do.  I mean I get the purpose and understand the importance of them but I’m not sure if it’s too much of me saying I should do these things.  So my coach simply said that after my presentation in January, I should ask myself, “Do I feel invigorated or depleted?”  Shackles on or shackles off?

As of now, I don’t really know if my shackles are off.  I know that I’m excited about the presentation (which is more of a facilitated workshop) and the endless possibilities of what the attendees will get out of it.  But I’ve never really been one for the spotlight.  Shackles on/off isn’t always black and white.

So we’ll see what happens.  But I will definitely be asking myself along the way how I’m feeling about this presentation – invigorated, depleted, shackles on/off?  It’ll be an amazing experience I’m sure.  So stay tuned…