Margaret’s Journey: A 60-Year-Old in Acts of Service
Margaret, a 60-year-old retired teacher, spends her days dedicated to volunteering at her local community centre, mentoring young people, and supporting environmental causes. Her life appears to reflect the selfless service stage of development, where giving back and contributing to the greater good take centre stage.
Yet, despite her outward commitment to helping others, Margaret often feels a quiet but persistent worry about money and financial security. This secondary motivation sometimes disrupts her sense of balance, leaving her feeling uncertain about her future.
Uncovering the Root of Secondary Motivations
Through coaching sessions, Margaret discovered that her financial worries stemmed from unmet needs earlier in life. Raised in a household where resources were scarce, she developed an early adaptive schema centred on security. This led to a pattern of prioritising financial stability, even at the expense of her own needs or well-being.
By exploring these influences with curiosity and compassion, Margaret began to see how these early experiences shaped her beliefs. She also recognised that these fears, while once protective, no longer served her current values or purpose.
Reframing Limiting Beliefs
Margaret worked on replacing fear-based thoughts with empowering ones. With her coach, she practiced reframing her mindset, moving from “What if I run out of money?” to “I am capable of managing my resources wisely to support the life I value.”
She also incorporated affirmations into her daily routine, such as:
“I trust that I have the skills and resilience to meet my needs while serving my community.”
Additionally, journaling exercises helped Margaret explore her strengths, aspirations, and ways to overcome her self-imposed limitations.
Fostering Balance: Internal Stability and External Equilibrium
To address her worries and regain her sense of balance, Margaret adopted mindfulness practices, such as morning meditations, to stay grounded and present. She also reassessed her finances with the help of a financial coach, ensuring her resources aligned with her values and provided a sense of security.
Margaret set small, meaningful goals, like creating a budget that allowed her to continue volunteering while building a modest safety net. This incremental approach built her confidence and gave her peace of mind, freeing her to focus on her acts of service.
Margaret’s Transformation
By addressing her secondary motivations and early adaptive schemas, Margaret achieved greater alignment between her ego and her soul. She learned to navigate her financial concerns with clarity and resilience, ensuring they no longer overshadowed her deeper purpose.
Today, Margaret continues her acts of service with renewed confidence and a sense of fulfilment. She embodies a life where selfless contribution is balanced with her own well-being—a powerful example of how addressing limiting beliefs can create space for authentic growth and impact.
Inspiring Action
Margaret’s journey reminds us that even in acts of service, unresolved worries can hold us back. By identifying and addressing these underlying motivations, you too can achieve balance, peace of mind, and a life aligned with your values and purpose. Let’s work together to create the clarity and confidence you need to thrive. 🌟
Academy of Life Planning 