Hi friends,
This week I've been thinking about motivation — specifically, the difference between the drive to move away from something versus moving towards something.
It's the difference between trying to get out of a job you hate versus building a career that excites you.
Between wanting to stop feeling lonely and opening yourself to deeper connection.
Between avoiding burnout and cultivating balance and peace.
When your goal is simply to escape where you are, it keeps your vision small. Sure, it can be a catalyst for change, but it limits how far you’ll go. Though it’s powerful to want something different, it’s far more impactful to imagine what’s possible and move toward that. You’ll make much more progress aiming for a big vision and reaching 70% of it than hitting 100% of a small one.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned the Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of your brain that filters sensory input and decides which information reaches your conscious awareness by highlighting what feels most relevant to your current focus. When your motivation is built around escaping pain ("I don't want to be broke," "I don't want to be alone," "I don't want to fail"), your mind unconsciously keeps scanning for evidence of that reality. In doing so, you're reinforcing the very thing you're trying to move away from — defining yourself by what you're running from.
Not to say that your “move away” goals are bad — they're just a starting point. Let them be the spark, not the story. Notice what you’re resisting, then ask, "what is this trying to lead me toward?"
If you’re tired of burnout, maybe what you’re actually seeking is balance. If you’re tired of feeling unseen, maybe what you’re craving is recognition and self-expression.
The shift from away to toward turns reaction into intention — it's how you reclaim authorship over your life.
A few years ago, I worked as Chief of Staff for Take The Lead, a women's executive leadership organization founded by former Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt. She literally wrote the book on Intentioning and the power of purposeful leadership. In it, she outlines a simple but powerful framework for creating lasting change: VCA —Vision, Courage, and Action.
Vision gives you direction.
Courage of conviction helps you claim it (even before you feel ready).
Action anchors it into reality.
Most people start with action. But without a vision, you're just spinning your wheels. And without courage, even the clearest vision stays a dream. When all three work together, change becomes inevitable.
Reframe Prompts
Use these prompts to clarify whether you’re being pulled by vision or pushed by fear — and to realign with what truly matters.
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Are your current goals rooted in avoidance, or aspiration?
- Where in your life are you trying to move away from something?
- What might it look like to move toward what you truly want instead?
- What’s the bigger vision behind that desire — and what small act of courage could you take this week to honor it?
Astro Note ✨
As the Sun moves into Scorpio, we're reminded that transformation isn’t just about endings — it’s about depth. Scorpio season asks for honesty about what’s been driving us: fear or desire. Let this week be about refining your vision — not just what you want to escape, but what you want to embody. Your power multiplies when your direction comes from within.
Recs
- You can learn more about Take The Lead here. And if you're interested in learning more about Gloria, I recommend starting with No Excuses.
- And If you want help navigating the shift from "move away" to "move towards" goals, my Pivoting Worksheet guides you through the process. It’s available in my Etsy shop — but if you reply to this email, I’ll send you one for free.
Impactful change doesn't happen by accident, it happens with intention. When you hold a clear vision, summon courage to claim it, and take action that honors it, you stop reacting to life and start directing it.
I'd love to hear what your big intentions are — let me know!
xo,
Christen
