Our heart is not just our physical engine. It has a specific duty in our lives beyond pumping blood. The heart is where we find insight, inspiration, and a connection to what we truly desire. While the mind handles the logistics and the “how” of reaching our goals, the heart is what guides us in choosing those goals in the first place.
We’ve all heard the phrase “your heart just isn’t in it.” It suggests that the person’s emotional desire, their ability to build a life that feels fulfilling to them, isn’t present in what they’re doing.
So how do we understand the duty of the heart, why it matters, and how to listen to it so we can create a life we really want?
Purpose
Beyond the physical, the purpose of the heart is to guide us toward a life that aligns with our emotions and our idea of what feels fulfilling. The difficulty is that modern society doesn’t teach us how to listen to the heart, and often warns us against it. We hear plenty about the consequences of following our heart, which reinforces the belief that we’re safer following our mind instead.
And most of the time, that’s the opposite of what serves us. Following what makes us happy is the doorway to a fulfilling life.
As an example, I became a snowboard instructor because my heart wanted to get better at snowboarding and spend more time doing it. The question was simply, “How much fun can I have pursuing this?” I never imagined the doors that path would open, but I was certain it would keep me happy.
Years later, I train other coaches who want to improve their skills, and I help them through their own certifications and careers in this industry. I’ve also had the chance to travel to other countries and meet interesting people along the way, many of whom I now count as good friends. All of it started with pursuing something that made me happy, and being willing to see how far it could go.
Power
The power of the heart is far stronger than we give it credit for. Because we’ve been taught to follow the mind, we also dismiss how much influence the heart has in shaping the life we live. So why is this power so hard to see?
It comes down to trust. We place more trust in the mind because, throughout our lives, we gather evidence that it makes decisions to protect the heart. The mind isn’t the enemy here. It’s a protector. But sometimes it becomes overprotective, steering us away from risks that could lead to pain, even when the reward on the other side is exactly what we want.
So how do we learn to trust the heart?
Trust
This is where a heart-centered mentor or coach can be a game changer. My mentors have been trainers, athletes, and people who embody the pursuit of their own joy. Through them, I learned that it’s possible to follow your heart and live a life that truly excites you. I also learned how important it is to surround yourself with people who encourage you to keep going once your direction is clear.
I can only describe their presence in my life as a catalyst for my growth. Seeing them live it gave me evidence that the heart could be trusted, and that helped me walk the path back to my own.
A mentor isn’t someone who is here to “fix” you. Their purpose is to help you remember what truly makes you happy and fulfilled, sometimes by being the reality check you need. Once you’re clear on that vision, their job becomes inspiring you to explore it and step out of the life your mind has talked you into.
This kind of work starts with trust, both in ourselves and in the people walking alongside us. When that trust is in place, the heart finally gets a seat at the table. When you rekindle the genuine connection with your heart, that is when you start to receive the power that can truly reshape your life. So if you’re ready to start listening to the heart, reach out and let’s talk about what that could look like for you.
— Al