I’m just going to say it, most people never step into their calling because they’ve done the math and decided it costs too much.
Too much time.
Too much energy.
Too much isolation.
Too much of… them.
But if you’re here, reading this, I have a feeling you’re not like most people. You know there’s a moment calling you, and when that moment chooses you, you can’t ignore it.
Leadership Will Cost You
Let’s get this out in the open, real leadership isn’t glamorous. It’s lonely. It’s inconvenient. And it often means choosing the road less traveled.
I’ve spent over 15 years in leadership, and let me tell you: the hardest part wasn’t the meetings, the deadlines, or the weight of responsibility. The hardest part was learning to stand alone. Not just in a room, but in values, integrity, and alignment.
Sometimes, choosing not to go with the crowd is the only way to honor your soul.
I remember being in nursing school when everyone else was partying. Something inside me said, “No.” I needed to study, to stay aligned, to prepare for the life I was building. That choice, small as it seemed, became a defining moment of leadership. A moment of solitude. A moment of self-respect.
Because here’s the truth:
Sometimes the price of alignment is isolation… but it is in solitude that you rise.
Protect Your Peace, Protect Your Purpose
There’s a myth that real leaders are always “on”, but the reality is, real leadership requires deep inner work.
You can’t lead well if you’re not whole. You can’t lead authentically if you haven’t healed.
It wasn’t until I finally got quiet, after retirement, when I had space to just be, that I realized I wasn’t burned out. I was misaligned. Everything was “good”, but I was being called to something great. That required stillness. Listening. And yes, letting go of people and opportunities that were no longer aligned.
I want to encourage you today:
Protect your focus.
Guard your inner peace.
Prioritize your wellbeing.
Sometimes, leadership will cost you friendships, positions, or the comfort of belonging. But what you gain—clarity, peace, purpose—is worth it every single time.
Fly Like the Eagle
Eagles don’t flap through storms. They rise above them. And so must you.
You may be the only one who speaks up in the meeting.
The only one who doesn’t participate in gossip.
The only one who walks away from an “opportunity” that feels wrong.
That’s not weakness. That’s leadership. Authentic, bold, soul-aligned leadership.
As I once heard Bishop T.D. Jakes say, there are three types of people in your life:
Assets: Mentors, encouragers, lifters.
Liabilities: People who drain your energy.
Zeros: Neutral folks who try to pull at your assets.
Know the difference, and choose accordingly.
Final Reminders
Leadership means saying NO when everyone else is saying YES.
Protecting your peace is part of protecting your purpose.
Elevation often requires separation.
You may be called to stand alone, not forever, but long enough to hear your own voice. And when you do the work, you’ll be ready to lead from a place of healing, not hurting.
Join the Movement
This is the kind of soul-centered leadership we’re exploring in my Substack community. If you’re an author, creator, or purpose-driven woman ready to lead from within, I invite you to subscribe, free or paid.
Subscribe and be part of a community where we talk truth, purpose, and transformation.
Comment below: What has leadership cost you? And what did you gain?
With love,
Coach Charlene
www.wellnesswhispereconsulting.com
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