Most people think alignment shows up as a big, defining moment.
A career pivot.
A bold declaration.
A dramatic change that finally makes everything click.
But that’s not how alignment actually works.
Alignment lives in the small, ordinary moments — the ones that don’t look important until they add up.
It shows up in how you answer an email.
How you respond when someone asks for your time.
Whether you pause when something feels off… or push through because it “should” be fine.
Alignment isn’t something you decide once. It’s something you practice — moment by moment.
What Alignment Really Looks Like Day to Day
For high-achieving women, misalignment rarely announces itself loudly.
It’s subtle.
A tightness in your chest before you say yes.
A sense of heaviness when you think about a commitment that looks good on paper.
Irritability that seems out of proportion to the situation.
The feeling that you’re forcing yourself through something instead of being carried by clarity.
Alignment, on the other hand, feels steady.
Not always easy — but clean.
Not always comfortable — but honest.
It looks like:
- Pausing before responding instead of reacting.
- Letting your body inform decisions, not just logic.
- Choosing integrity over convenience.
- Adjusting in real time instead of forcing consistency.
- Trusting a quiet “no,” even when a loud “yes” would be rewarded.
Misalignment often sounds like, “I should be able to handle this.”
Alignment sounds like, “This isn’t a fit for me right now.”
Alignment doesn’t demand perfection.
It asks for presence.
Modeling the Work, Not Just Teaching It
I talk about alignment and integrity often. I coach my clients on this regularly.
And I’ve had to live it myself.
Alignment isn’t something you achieve and then move on from.
It’s a daily practice of listening — especially when it would be easier to override yourself.
I’ve learned that forcing something to work creates more stress than value. And that’s not the energy I want to bring into any space — my work, my relationships, or my life.
Alignment requires honesty.
And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is adjust — even when you already said yes.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Burnout doesn’t usually come from doing too much. It comes from doing things that quietly pull you out of alignment — again and again.
When you live misaligned:
- Decisions drain more energy.
- Resentment builds quietly.
- Self-trust erodes.
When you live aligned:
- Choices feel cleaner.
- Boundaries feel calmer.
- You stop second-guessing yourself.
Alignment reduces friction — internally and externally.
And over time, those small, honest choices create a life that feels more grounded, more sustainable, and more true.
Action Step: 3 Grounded Ways to Practice Alignment
1. Pause before every yes.
You don’t owe immediate answers.
Create space between the request and the response — even if it’s just saying, “Let me think about that.”
That pause gives your body time to weigh in, not just your mind.
2. Use your body as data.
Before committing, notice what happens internally.
Do you feel steadiness or tightness? Relief or resistance?
Alignment often shows up physically before it makes sense logically.
3. Choose integrity over consistency.
It’s okay to change your mind.
Not because you’re unreliable — but because you’re paying attention.
Listening to new information, including how something feels, is a sign of alignment, not weakness.
How I Can Help
If you’ve felt that quiet tension between what you’re doing and what actually fits — here are a few ways we can go deeper:
- Purchase my International Bestselling Book that goes through the framework that has helped 1,000+ coaching and executive clients. You can find more information HERE.
- Join the Powerhouse Women Network! Find more information HERE.
- Build a custom strategy to reach your goals without burning out or compromising your purpose. Find out more information on this FREE complimentary call.
Your turn to reflect a step further:
Where in your life are you pushing through something that no longer fits?
What would change if you allowed yourself to pause — and listen — before your next yes?
Alignment doesn’t require a grand decision. It asks for honesty in the small moments.
– Christi Cossette
