The Missing Link to Achieving Your Goals: Feeling Safe in Your Body

"Action is the foundational key to all success." – Pablo Picasso

We’ve all heard the advice: if you want to achieve something in life, you need to take action. It sounds simple, right? Just do the thing, and success will follow. But here’s the truth that often gets overlooked: taking action isn’t just about willpower or motivation. There’s a deeper, often hidden factor that plays a crucial role in whether we can actually take the steps needed to reach our goals.

The Missing Component: Feeling Safe in Your Body

You see, action isn’t just a mental decision—it’s a whole-body experience. For many of us, the reason we struggle to take action isn’t because we’re lazy, unmotivated, or don’t know what to do. The real issue is that we don’t feel safe in our bodies.

Our bodies, particularly our nervous systems, play a critical role in our ability to take action. When we’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, our nervous system can go into "fight, flight, or freeze" mode. In this state, it’s incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to take meaningful action. We might feel paralysed, stuck, or too drained to move forward.

Understanding the Role of the Nervous System

The nervous system is like the control center of our bodies, constantly monitoring our environment and determining whether we’re safe or in danger. When our nervous system perceives a threat—whether real or imagined—it triggers a survival response. This might have been helpful when we were living in caves and facing saber-toothed tigers, but in today’s world, it often gets in the way.

For example, let’s say you have a big project at work, and you know what needs to be done. But every time you sit down to work on it, you feel a knot in your stomach, your heart races, and your mind goes blank. What’s happening here? Your nervous system is interpreting this project as a threat, putting you into a stress response that makes it hard to focus or take action.

Why Feeling Safe Matters

To take consistent action, especially on the things that matter most, your body needs to feel safe. When you feel safe, your nervous system is calm, and you’re in what’s called the “rest and digest” state. This is the state where you can think clearly, make decisions, and take purposeful action.

Feeling safe in your body doesn’t mean avoiding challenges or staying in your comfort zone. It means creating an internal environment where your nervous system feels supported enough to handle those challenges. When your body feels safe, you’re more resilient, more creative, and more capable of taking the steps needed to achieve your goals.

How to Cultivate Safety in Your Body

So, how do you create a sense of safety in your body? Here are a few strategies to help you build the nervous system capacity needed to take action:

1. Practice Mindful Breathing: When you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, your breath often becomes shallow. Practicing deep, slow breathing can signal to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax. Try taking a few deep breaths, focusing on a longer exhale, to calm your body and mind. Be careful if you suffer from high blood pressure or if you have a condition that may limit you, always consult a health professional before starting something new like this.
2. Grounding Techniques: Grounding helps you connect with the present moment, which can reduce feelings of anxiety. Simple practices like placing your feet flat on the ground, feeling the texture of an object in your hand, or doing a quick body scan can help you stay centered and calm.
3. Nervous System Regulation Exercises: Techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, vagus nerve stimulation, or gentle yoga can help regulate your nervous system, increasing your capacity to take action.
4. Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you’re struggling to take action. Understand that it’s not just about willpower—your nervous system might need some care and attention. By approaching yourself with compassion, you reduce the internal pressure and create space for more effective action.

The Connection Between Safety and Success

Think about this: when was the last time you tried to push yourself into action through sheer force of will? How did that work out for you? Now, consider a time when you felt calm, supported, and at ease—didn’t taking action feel more natural, even enjoyable?

The truth is, when we feel safe in our bodies, taking action becomes a whole lot easier. Our nervous systems aren’t fighting us; they’re supporting us. We can move forward with confidence, knowing that we have the internal resources to handle whatever comes our way.

Taking the Next Step

So, if you’ve been struggling to take action, ask yourself: Do I feel safe in my body? Is my nervous system calm and regulated? If the answer is no, it’s time to focus on creating that sense of safety. Start with the strategies mentioned above, and notice how your capacity for action begins to grow.

I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever noticed how your body affects your ability to take action? What helps you feel safe and supported when facing challenges? Share your experiences in the comments below.

And if you’re looking for more guidance on building resilience, taking action, and achieving your goals, join our Thrive with Gary Patreon Community. Together, we’ll explore how to create the inner environment that supports your outer success.

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Keep on thriving,

Gary

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