A few years ago, I was about a year into my business and there were a couple of clear directions I wanted to explore. These included running workshops for a particular target group who I knew needed the information, insights and techniques I could offer. So I talked to the right people, pitched my idea and I even ran a workshop with one group that went really well. But that’s as far as it went. The avenues I explored became dead ends and the contacts I reached out to couldn’t or wouldn’t take it further. It didn’t matter what I did or how hard I pushed, it just wouldn’t come to fruition. I ultimately abandoned the idea and went off to develop other parts of my business instead.

Around the same time, I can remember telling a good friend that I’d love to be on a not-for-profit board. With my strong background and passion for working with charities and community groups, my desire to help those types of organisations reach their potential was very high. But, as with the workshops, the timing and opportunities weren’t there so I shelved the idea.

Fast forward to the last 12 months, and the Universe has given me the opportunity to run the workshops I hoped for in 2012. There has also been some discussions about me sitting on a not-for-profit board. But when this suggestion was put to me, I felt a dragging sensation within.

When I talked it over with my friend Lauren she looked at me for a moment then said, ‘But you don’t want to do that anymore, do you?’

I had to admit she was right. A couple of years ago I would’ve jumped at the chance but now, the thought just pulled me down. Here I was being offered a fantastic opportunity but inside my inner voice said, ‘Nope, I don’t want to.’

I also realised I didn’t really want to do those kinds of workshops anymore either.

I felt like a complete fraud and had to question myself. How could it be that the work I’d so desired a few short years ago now no longer appealed? The Universe had finally delivered what I wanted but I no longer wanted it.

The truth was I had changed from that person I was in 2012. I had become someone different and the newest version of myself had left some of the old me behind in the past.

I had, quite simply, changed my mind.

I wondered if I was just a bit flaky and dare I say it, inconsistent (this thought pushed quite a few buttons for me!). But I couldn’t avoid the truth: I had changed and I wasn’t going to change back anytime soon.

I was left feeling unsettled but eventually came to the following conclusions.

It wasn’t about being flaky, losing face or being inconsistent. It was simply about choosing a different way because who I am today is different from who I was yesterday. And that shift is wonderful because it shows I’ve grown and I’m ready to make different choices, have different experiences and expand my heart.

I’m allowed to change my mind because it means I’ve decided to transform into the newest and most amazing version of myself.

Of course, it’s also possible for this to work in reverse. Years ago there were things I never wanted. But now I desire them very much. That too is part of the transformation of self that we all go through in our lives.

Either way, that transformation is a very natural and positive thing. It’s a good thing to change your mind.