The Confusion Defense
It looks something like this…
“I don’t know what to do to move forward.” “I’m not clear on what I want.” “I don’t know what my next steps are.”
We use CONFUSION as a very sneaky reason to stay stuck, frozen and NOT taking action. The confusion defense is a tricky little defense pattern that seems so valid when you’re in the midst of it!
I know, because I found myself in this sneaky little defense just today! I told my friend… “I don’t know what I should be working on.” I caught myself when I heard the words come out of my mouth. Is that true? That I don’t know what to be working on? Not really, no.
What it means is that the “confusion defense” has caught hold and there is some fear under the surface.
Fear of failure.
Fear of being seen.
Fear of having to show up for all the “hard work” it will take…
Fear of _______(fill in the blank)_____.
So what to do if you find yourself in this sneaky defense pattern:
Here are three important take-aways to come back to clarity and aligned action:
1. NOTICE! When are you in the confusion defense? It masks itself so sneakily as actually confusion and can keep you cycling for days, weeks, years. Can you catch yourself?
2. GET CURIOUS. What is the confusion defense protecting your from? Once we give the fears that are hiding out beneath this particular defense some attention, we can move forward while embracing the feelings.
3. WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP? After you’ve identified that you’re in the confusion defense and feel through the underlying fear, you can come back to action.
And don’t forget….
**Reach out to an ally for support
**Pause. Slow down to reconnect within. What do you need? What ARE you clear about?
**Take just the NEXT step. Get the energy moving again.
Remember, you have unique gifts that want to be expressed through you – in service to yourself and others. Yes, it can be scary to step forward, claim your power and be seen in your brilliance. But it is far more painful to deny your purpose and your longing to serve.
LIKE this post if you can resonate or have felt stuck in confusion before! Then share your personal insights about how the confusion defense may be lurking around and sabotaging your efforts.