An Invitation to Trust
Trust is an ongoing calibration between ourselves, our environment, our hopes, and our fears. Sometimes, it turns out that we didn’t trust enough — and we miss out on an opportunity we wanted. Other times, it turns out that perhaps we trusted too much — and we experience opportunities we don’t want. Both are an opening for a recalibration in support of our growth.
While trust is a relational process, it starts with trusting ourselves — our knowing, our sensing, our valuing. The more we trust ourselves, the more present, mature, and able we can be with our clients and help them do the same for themselves.
If you’ve been grappling with self-doubt more than usual, you’re not alone. The once reliable markers of stability and certainty seem less so now. Finding new ways to deepen our trust in ourselves and others as we move through this uncharted territory feels increasingly important.
That’s why we invite you to join us in exploring: What can you release within yourself that would enable you to develop a deeper and wiser trust?
In the blog below, we’ll explore why this work is essential and how you can find your footing in a world that seems to spin faster each day. To start, let’s hear from Dr. David Drake.
A Note from David:
I had surgery to replace my right shoulder in early January. Once I passed the first milestone in my recovery, I returned to hikes through nature near my house. At first, I was aware of a sense of dread in my mind, “What if I fall . . . and damage my shoulder?” In noticing that thought, I had two important realizations: (1) I have hiked the equivalent of San Francisco to Washington DC and back in my life — and could therefore trust all that my body knew, and (2) when I was worried in my mind, I was out of contact with my body —and therefore more likely to trip and fall. The secret was to walk with trust in myself and trust in the spaces through which I walked.
The recovery walks were in the stormy, rainy season of the year in Portland, so the trails were not always conducive to hiking. As such, I learned another lesson about trust: It is a choice. Not every person or situation warrants our trust. Sometimes, we decide to place trust in another person or our environment. However, sometimes, the wise decision is not to trust. It would have been foolish to hike on days when the roads and trails were muddy and slippery. It is not that I don’t trust the land, but that I don’t trust the fit between myself and the land at that time.
As you think about your current life or work, is your growth related to trusting yourself, trusting others, or trusting the fit between the two?
Where Has All the Trust Gone?
What we once took for granted as stable and reliable markers for navigating life—job security, social norms, even the climate—now seem increasingly volatile. This instability challenges us to find new ways to anchor ourselves in a world that feels perpetually in flux. The rise of the digital community, while connecting us in unprecedented ways, has paradoxically woven a layer of anonymity and detachment into our interactions, complicating trust.
Additionally, and perhaps most poignantly, for many of us, our self-trust has been shaken. The constant barrage of information, the comparison culture fueled by social media, and the pressure to meet ever-evolving standards of success have led many to doubt their own judgment, abilities, and worth. Many have broken promises to themselves and even felt the sting of self-betrayal.
Why Does It Matter?
It often feels like trust is in shorter supply these days. However, it remains a foundational element for both personal and collective progress. It's the silent undercurrent that empowers personal growth, enriches relationships, and enables our professional success. On a broader scale, trust acts as a catalyst for societal cohesion, helping communities and institutions to function effectively. It’s the thread that weaves through society, promoting cooperation, reducing conflict, and enhancing civic engagement — a vital resource at a time when we often find ourselves in our own little bubbles.
In our work, deepening your trust in yourself and the process is a critical maturity because if you don’t fully trust yourself and your process, how can you expect to help clients do the same for themselves?
The Path to Rebuilding Trust: A Call to Release
In the journey toward rebuilding trust, especially in the wake of betrayal or a sensed erosion of faith, a pivotal question arises:
What can you release within yourself that would enable you to develop a deeper and wiser trust?
We invite you to engage in the following practice:
Step 1: Recall an instance of betrayal
Begin by gently allowing yourself to recall an instance where trust was broken — either a betrayal by another person or of yourself. Approach this recollection with compassion and without judgment, understanding that these experiences are also rich with lessons to be learned. What are you being asked to let go of in support of your growth?
Step 2: Consider the role your lack of self-trust played
Reflect on how your lack of trust in yourself impacted the betrayal. For example: Were you unaware of your current state? Unable to speak up or act? Unwilling to rely on others? What are you being asked to let be so you can see the situation more clearly?
Step 3: Deepen your maturity when it comes to trust
Begin by resourcing yourself in ways that restore your self-trust. One of our favorite methods is Dr. Drake’s Full Circle breathing exercise to discover what you need to release to extend your trust in yourself.
Click here to experience the Full Circle Breathing Exercise.
The Invitation
Each moment invites us to reflect on and breathe with our experiences of trust: where it has been lost, where it has been found, and how it can mature. It’s not always easy, but we gain greater wisdom when doing this work.
If you, like us, realize that this work is more accessible when done in community, make sure you sign up for our next free Beyond Coaching Experience here. The theme for 2024 is trust! These free monthly sessions evoke thoughtful reflection and dialogue about yourself and your practice. They include guided practices, timely insights, and simple steps to evolve the way you work. If you want to get to the heart of what really matters for yourself and your clients, join us this month.
