That quiet voice you keep ignoring?

🤔When you know, you know… but still don’t move.

I’ve had this moment more than once.

That feeling that something’s not right—not because it’s broken, but because it’s no longer you.

You look around and everything seems… fine.

You’re doing good work.

You’re respected.

You’re “valuable.”

And yet—something in you is already gone.

That quiet knowing creeps in.

It’s subtle at first. Easy to dismiss.

Until it becomes loud in the silence, in the spaces between meetings, in the quiet drag of waking up for something that once lit you up.

I know what it’s like to know something needs to change…

But still delay the shift.

We tell ourselves:

• “It’s just a phase.”
• “Now’s not the right time.”
• “I should be grateful.”
• “What if I leave and regret it?”

And here’s the truth:

That quiet voice isn’t wrong.

It’s patient—but it won’t wait forever.

The longer you delay, the louder the dissonance becomes.

Not in decibels, but in detachment. In how far you drift from your own potential.

At some point, staying where you are becomes harder than taking the leap.

What I’ve Been Noticing Lately…

From the conversations I’ve been having with change and transformation leaders lately, a few patterns keep showing up—and maybe you’ll see yourself in one or two:

1. I know what’s right… but I don’t know how to do it

There’s clarity on what needs to happen, but the how is either fuzzy or delayed without real cause. That unjustified wait can cost momentum—and confidence.

2. The fear is real

Fear of changing styles. Fear of changing roles. Fear of what happens when you try something new and it doesn’t land. In today’s world, the pressure to stay in a zone you’ve outgrown (but feel safe in) is stronger than ever. Even if that zone quietly eats away at your ambition.

3. Don’t believe everything you think

This one stings. When the rubber hits the road and you’re offered real support—mentorship, a chance to upskill, guidance to take you to your next level—that’s when the excuses pour in.

I’m not talking about real-life responsibilities.

I’m talking about:

“Now’s not the right time.”

“Let me first figure it out on my own.” 

“I’ll come back to it when I’m clear.”

But think about that for a second—if the help was meant to get you clear, why are you still choosing to go it alone?

4. The excitement fades

You got lit up by an idea, an opportunity, a program that resonated—and you knew it could amplify your impact.

But then? Life happened. Work got busy. The urgency faded.

And just like that, you slid back into the “for now” zone, waiting for a “right time” that never really comes.

5. Will this work for me?” is often “Do I have what it takes?

When that question comes up, I’ve found it’s rarely about the thing. It’s about you.

Do you believe you can rise into it?

What’s been breaking my heart is how many leaders I spoke to in 2023 and 2024 are now circling back, saying:

“I wish I had done this earlier.” 

Referring to an insight I shared. 

An opportunity to be mentored. 

And I can’t help but think about the time that was lost just to arrive at the same conclusion. 

But here’s the thing: when you’re truly ready, the universe responds.

Reflection

Where are you betraying what you already know about yourself?

What’s one decision you’ve postponed that you need to revisit—even if it scares you?

Even naming it is a powerful move.

The shift doesn’t start with action.

It starts with honesty.

With you.

The world is evolving fast 🌍 Are you keeping up?

Take the Future Fit Change Leader Quiz ✨ to find out if your leadership is future-ready or at risk of falling behind. Get assessed of your

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🏆 🚀 Honored to Be Named a Top 10 Thought Leader in Transformation Globally!

Grateful to be recognized by Thinkers360 among the top 10 Transformation Thought Leaders Globally 🌏

Transformation digital badge was issued by Thinkers360 to Jess Tayel

https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/badge/10568/5825

Till next week

Jess Tayel

Founder of the Transformation Leadership Institute and People of Transformation membership & community.

Enable Organizations to Become Future Fit Through their Transformations & Change efforts.

Elevate Change & Transformation high-performing leaders to soar above the sea of sameness and achieve new heights in mastery, influence, & impact without the drag of going solo or slow progression.