About this quote

Action aligned with your deepest self brings a natural, effortless momentum. You know that feeling when a project feels heavy, like pulling teeth? Contrast that with the moments you lose track of time because the work flows straight out of your core. Pay attention to those moments of ease, because they show you where your true energy lies. Stop forcing yourself into tasks that dry you up, and start moving toward what makes you feel alive.

When to use it

• An architect quits a corporate firm to design small, sustainable community gardens. She tells her family, 'I was tired of drawing cold glass skyscrapers; I wanted to build something that actually feeds people's spirits.'
• A hobbyist painter realizes they are happiest when their fingers are smeared with paint, rather than trying to sell work on social media. They tell a friend, 'Forget the online shop, I am just painting for the pure rush of creating again.'
• A father decides to stop over-scheduling his kids' weekends and instead plans a spontaneous afternoon building a backyard treehouse. He says, 'We stopped rushing to structured matches and just worked with our hands, and it felt like we finally breathed.'
• A young professional declines a stressful promotion to spend more time volunteering at an animal shelter. She explains to her mentor, 'That extra money won't give me the deep satisfaction I get when I help these dogs.'