Leading with Feeling: How to Make Decisions That Truly Align with Your Heart

We’re diving deep into why it’s essential to base your decisions on how you want to feel rather than simply what you want. This approach opens up infinite possibilities and aligns you with your true desires.

The Power of Feeling-Based Decisions

Starting with how you want to feel is a game-changer. When we make decisions solely based on specific outcomes or things we desire, we limit ourselves to what we already know and have seen. This limitation disconnects us from the vast possibilities that the universe has to offer. Let’s explore three reasons why leading with feeling is the way to go.

Reason 1: Unlock Infinite Possibilities

When you focus on a specific outcome—like owning a house with a white picket fence, driving a particular car, or having a body that looks a certain way—you restrict yourself to a narrow vision. Your imagination is bound by your current frame of reference, shaped by what you have seen or experienced.

For instance, if you visualize a dream house, you’ll likely think of homes you’ve encountered in your life or through media. But what if the perfect living situation for you is something you’ve never seen or imagined? By focusing on how you want to feel—secure, comfortable, inspired—you open yourself up to a myriad of possibilities that you might not have considered.

Vision boards are a fantastic tool for ideation and dreaming, but they should support a broader feeling rather than a specific, finite goal. For example, instead of fixating on a house with a greenhouse, focus on the feeling of having a space to nurture your plants and connect with nature. This shift allows for various fulfilling options to come into your life.

Reason 2: Your Actions Follow Your Emotions

Our actions are deeply influenced by our emotions and thoughts. If you’re feeling down, unconfident, or stuck in negative thought loops, your actions will reflect those feelings. Conversely, when you focus on how you want to feel and actively work towards cultivating those feelings, your actions naturally align with your desired state.

Imagine wanting to feel vibrant and energetic. Instead of setting a rigid goal like losing 50 pounds, aim to engage in activities that make you feel alive and healthy. Maybe it’s dancing, hiking, or practicing yoga. This approach not only aligns with your desired feeling but also makes the journey enjoyable and sustainable.

Starting with feelings helps you become a beacon of positive energy, attracting more of what you want into your life. It shifts your mindset from scarcity and limitation to abundance and possibility, making you more receptive to opportunities and experiences that enhance your well-being.

Reason 3: Rewrite Your Story

We are the sum of the stories we tell ourselves and the narratives others have imposed on us. These stories shape our self-image and influence our decisions. If you’ve internalized negative beliefs—like being bad at math or not being good enough—they can limit your potential and keep you stuck in unhelpful patterns.

Consider the narratives you’ve constructed about yourself. Maybe you believe you’re always making mistakes or that you’re not capable of achieving your dreams. These stories can confine you to a role that doesn’t serve your highest good. By focusing on how you want to feel, you start to rewrite these narratives.

Ask yourself: How do I want to feel? Powerful? Confident? Free? By starting with these feelings, you can begin to reshape the character you play in your life’s story. This shift empowers you to step into a new role—one that is aligned with your true self and capable of achieving your dreams.

Practical Steps to Leading with Feeling

Now that we understand the importance of feeling-based decisions, let’s look at some practical steps to implement this approach in your life.

1. Identify Your Desired Feelings: Take some time to reflect on how you want to feel in various aspects of your life—your career, relationships, health, and personal growth. Write down these feelings and use them as your guiding compass.

2. Create a Vision Board: Use your desired feelings as the foundation for your vision board. Include images, words, and symbols that evoke these feelings. This board will serve as a visual reminder of your intentions and keep you aligned with your desired state.

3. Daily Affirmations and Visualization: Start each day with affirmations that reinforce your desired feelings. Visualize yourself embodying these feelings and taking actions that align with them.

4. Check-In Regularly: Periodically review your progress and check in with your feelings. Are your actions aligning with your desired state? If not, adjust your approach and realign with your intentions.

5. Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive people and resources that help you stay aligned with your desired feelings. Join communities, attend workshops, or seek guidance from mentors who resonate with your vision.

Embrace Infinite Possibilities

Leading with feeling opens the door to infinite possibilities. It aligns you with your true desires and helps you navigate life with a sense of purpose and clarity.

Remember, there are countless ways to feel the way you want to feel. By focusing on your emotions and being open to new experiences, you allow the universe to guide you towards your highest good.

Journal Prompt

To help you get started, here’s a journal prompt: “Reflect on how you want to feel in the key areas of your life. Write down these feelings and consider what actions you can take to cultivate them. How can you align your daily decisions with these desired feelings?”