Sometimes you might get the sense that people you admire never have problems or challenges.
This is almost never true. Those challenges? I call them the wobble.
A business, career, or personal action gets planned, and it sounds exciting at the time of conception. But as the moment to act draws near… the wobble appears.
What’s a Wobble, Really?
A wobble is when doubt and questions creep in and slow you down.
Maria Nemeth has a concept I love. She notes that ideas originate in the metaphysical—this airy realm of inspiration—and then must cross into the physical world to become real. That transition can be bumpy. She calls it “trouble at the border.”
It’s true for me: I still wobble when I’m taking a risk, trying something new, or pursuing a goal that stretches me beyond what I know. I’m guessing many of those in the spotlight wobble. Jerry Garcia, the guitar player, never got over stage fright, even after four decades or more of performing.
The good news? Wobbles mean you’re growing. They’re proof you’re venturing beyond your comfort zone.
Why Fear Shows Up
When you’re about to grow, fear naturally arises.
Part of your brain is wired to keep you safe, and change is often interpreted as danger. Thanks, trusty safety monitor… but maybe take a coffee break.
My Latest Wobble Story
I’m in the middle of creating a new offer for clients. Here’s how my wobble has shown up.
Wobble Element 1 – Conflicting Information
Just as I was about to launch, I saw a podcast claiming social media is “dead.” Not exactly encouraging when my plan involved promoting there. And yes—some of my experience and research suggested there was truth in that.
Wobble Element 2 – New Territory Fatigue
From the idea zone, everything looked easy. But when reality hit? Website pages, email sequences, choosing the right software… Hello, border crossing! Sure looked more easy and simple from the metaphysical side, lol.
Wobble Element 3 – HSP Perfectionism and Visibility Stress
For Highly Sensitive People, visibility can be draining. It’s not a reason to avoid risk—but it’s a reminder to build in recovery time.
Wobble Element 4 – Underestimating Time & Energy
Someone told me: “Take your best time estimate… and multiply by four.” Not 2 or 3x? Gulp. It explains a lot.
Wobble Element 5 – Skills You Don’t Have Yet
New projects often require skills you haven’t mastered. That’s part of the growth—if you can be patient with yourself.
Wobble Element 6 – Reassessing the Fit
Sometimes you realize a plan doesn’t fit after all. But more often, the friction resolves once you keep moving.
The Bigger Picture: Outside Factors
Some wobble triggers are out of your control: end-of-summer “hammock time” energy, Mercury retrograde, cosmic events like the Lion’s Gate, global stressors, and more. Not to mention personal or ancestral trauma that arises for healing when you expand. These factors can all subtly affect your timing and motivation.
The Wisdom in the Wobble
Here’s what helps me move forward when the wobble hits:
- Expect thresholds. Growth means crossing them.
- Slow down, don’t stop. Even small steps keep momentum alive.
- Update your coping tools. What worked five years ago might not work now.
- Look for hidden healing work. Sometimes the wobble stirs up old patterns ready to be cleared.
Despite the slowdown, my wobble didn’t stop me—and yours doesn’t have to stop you either. In fact, the more you understand what’s happening at the “border,” the easier it gets to keep going. The more success you have using your tools when the going gets rough, the more ease you can have in these necessary growth periods.
If your next leap involves changing your work, answering a calling, or finally stepping into something more meaningful, the right tools can turn hesitation into momentum.
Join Me – Career Change Confidence – 5 day challenge
If you’ve been feeling the wobble as you dream about your next chapter, you’re not alone. Whether it’s doubts, overwhelm, or fear of making the wrong move, these are normal signs you’re on the edge of growth. The key is learning how to steady yourself so you can keep moving toward the work you’re truly meant to do.
That’s exactly what we’ll do together in my free 5-Day Career Change Confidence Challenge: Steady Your Steps Toward Meaningful Work.
Over five days, you’ll:
- Discover why “border friction” happens and how to navigate it with less stress.
- Learn simple, repeatable practices to calm fear and keep your momentum.
- Get clear on your next right steps toward meaningful, soul-aligned work.
- Connect with others making courageous career shifts and soulful actions to expand meaning and purpose.
Your next chapter is calling. Let’s make sure the wobble doesn’t keep you from answering.
Career Change Confidence — How to Deal with the Friction That Can Destroy Creation
Sometimes you might get the sense that people you admire never have problems or challenges.
This is almost never true. Those challenges? I call them the wobble.
A business, career, or personal action gets planned, and it sounds exciting at the time of conception. But as the moment to act draws near… the wobble appears.
What’s a Wobble, Really?
A wobble is when doubt and questions creep in and slow you down.
Maria Nemeth has a concept I love. She notes that ideas originate in the metaphysical—this airy realm of inspiration—and then must cross into the physical world to become real. That transition can be bumpy. She calls it “trouble at the border.”
It’s true for me: I still wobble when I’m taking a risk, trying something new, or pursuing a goal that stretches me beyond what I know.
The good news? Wobbles mean you’re growing. They’re proof you’re venturing beyond your comfort zone.
Why Fear Shows Up
When you’re about to grow, fear naturally arises.
Part of your brain is wired to keep you safe, and change is often interpreted as danger. Thanks, trusty safety monitor… but maybe take a coffee break.
My Latest Wobble Story
I’m in the middle of creating a new offer for clients. Here’s how my wobble has shown up.
Wobble Element 1 – Conflicting Information
Just as I was about to launch, I saw a podcast claiming social media is “dead.” Not exactly encouraging when my plan involved promoting there. And yes—some of my experience and research suggested there was truth in that.
Wobble Element 2 – New Territory Fatigue
From the idea zone, everything looked easy. But when reality hit? Website pages, email sequences, choosing the right software… Hello, border crossing!
Wobble Element 3 – HSP Perfectionism and Visibility Stress
For Highly Sensitive People, visibility can be draining. It’s not a reason to avoid risk—but it’s a reminder to build in recovery time.
Wobble Element 4 – Underestimating Time & Energy
Someone told me: “Take your best time estimate… and multiply by four.” Gulp. It explains a lot.
Wobble Element 5 – Skills You Don’t Have Yet
New projects often require skills you haven’t mastered. That’s part of the growth—if you can be patient with yourself.
Wobble Element 6 – Reassessing the Fit
Sometimes you realize a plan doesn’t fit after all. But more often, the friction resolves once you keep moving.
The Bigger Picture: Outside Factors
Some wobble triggers are out of your control: end-of-summer “hammock time” energy, Mercury retrograde, cosmic events like the Lion’s Gate, global stressors, and more. They can all subtly affect your timing and motivation.
The Wisdom in the Wobble
Here’s what helps me move forward when the wobble hits:
- Expect thresholds. Growth means crossing them.
- Slow down, don’t stop. Even small steps keep momentum alive.
- Update your coping tools. What worked five years ago might not work now.
- Look for hidden healing work. Sometimes the wobble stirs up old patterns ready to be cleared.
Despite the slowdown, my wobble didn’t stop me—and yours doesn’t have to stop you either. In fact, the more you understand what’s happening at the “border,” the easier it gets to keep going.
If your next leap involves changing your work, answering a calling, or finally stepping into something more meaningful, the right tools can turn hesitation into momentum.
Join Me for Career Change Confidence
If you’ve been feeling the wobble as you dream about your next chapter, you’re not alone. Whether it’s doubts, overwhelm, or fear of making the wrong move, these are normal signs you’re on the edge of growth. The key is learning how to steady yourself so you can keep moving toward the work you’re truly meant to do.
That’s exactly what we’ll do together in my free 5-Day Career Change Confidence Challenge: Steady Your Steps Toward Meaningful Work.
Over five days, you’ll:
- Discover why “border friction” happens and how to navigate it with less stress.
- Learn simple, repeatable practices to calm fear and keep your momentum.
- Get clear on your next right steps toward meaningful, soul-aligned work.
- Connect with other women making courageous career shifts in midlife.
Your next chapter is calling. Let’s make sure the wobble doesn’t keep you from answering.
Sign up to save your spot! It’s going to be fun, and useful.
Learn more about Denise’s approach to career change (Radiant Work.)
Take the Sparketype career assessment, to learn about your career skills archetypes.