Tapping into the Wisdom of Avoidance
I used to believe the opposite of being risk-averse was being risk-aware. My hyper-vigilant side loved this framing—because it still got to stay in control.
That part of me would mentally rehearse every possible scenario, scanning for hidden dangers, catastrophes, and worst-case outcomes. It felt productive. It felt responsible. But in hindsight, it was just another flavor of avoidance—trying to outthink emotional risk without actually engaging with it.
Over time, I started to notice a pattern.
I wasn’t just avoiding risk—I was avoiding the stories I’d attached to risk:
What it would mean about me if something didn’t work.
What others might think if I failed.
What I feared I’d lose if I tried something bolder.
And slowly, my business became armored. I avoided certain conversations. I tiptoed around important decisions. And even though everything looked fine on the surface, something was stuck beneath it all.
What I’ve come to understand is this:
🎯 Avoidance is often a clue, not a flaw.
It’s not that we’re weak or lazy. It’s that we’re protecting something tender—an old story, a past experience, or a belief about our worth.
🎯 How we handle risk in business mirrors our inner narratives.
If there’s a part of your work you consistently procrastinate or avoid, chances are there’s a deeper layer there—something personal, meaningful, and worth understanding.
🎯 Those unspoken stories end up running the show.
Ironically, the parts of ourselves we try hardest to ignore often have the strongest influence on how we lead, decide, and create.
Here’s the shift:
When you learn how to listen to avoidance—rather than shaming or overriding it—it becomes a teacher.
🌀 What are you trying to protect?
🌀 What are you afraid might happen?
🌀 What old version of yourself are you still trying to keep safe?
This kind of inner work isn’t always neat or convenient. But it’s the kind of wisdom that builds self-trust—and when you bring that into your business, everything changes.
Avoidance doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means you’re human—and probably protecting something that once mattered a great deal.
But you get to grow beyond it now.
And your business will thank you for it.
Noticing patterns of avoidance in your business?
That resistance might be pointing to something important. Coaching offers a supportive space to unpack the stories underneath, build emotional clarity, and move forward with grounded confidence.
