I have a confession to make.
My inbox is overflowing with inspiration. Newsletter subscriptions from coaches I admire, thought-provoking essays from writers who challenge me, blog posts from people doing incredible work in the world. I’ve curated this beautiful collection of wisdom, carefully selecting each voice that I want to learn from.
And I don’t read them.
There, I said it. The emails arrive, I see the subject lines, I tell myself “I’ll read this later,” and then I get swept up in the current of daily life. Client calls, administrative tasks, family obligations, the endless scroll through news headlines. Before I know it, another week has passed and my “inspiration” folder is just a graveyard of good intentions.
Even Coaches Get Caught Up in the Business of Life
Here’s what I’ve realized: I’m not immune to the very patterns I help my clients break. I talk about the importance of intentional living, about creating space for growth, about choosing depth over distraction. And yet, I’ve been living in contradiction to my own advice.
The irony isn’t lost on me. I spend my days helping people identify where they’re stuck, where they’re going through the motions instead of showing up fully. I guide them toward practices that foster genuine transformation. And somehow, I convinced myself that I was exempt from needing the same kind of intentional recalibration.
The truth is, we all need to step back periodically. We all need to examine whether our actions align with our values. Being a coach doesn’t make me superhuman—it just means I should know better than to ignore the signs when I’m drifting off course.
The Difference Between Intentions and Commitments
I’ve had the best of intentions. That phrase has been my shield, my excuse, my way of letting myself off the hook. “I intend to read more deeply.” “I intend to slow down.” “I intend to prioritize meaningful content over the mindless consumption of news cycles.”
But intentions alone get you only partway there. Intentions are the spark, but commitment is the fuel that actually moves you forward.
So what’s different this time? Why do I believe this isn’t just another round of well-meaning promises I’ll make to myself?
Because I’m done with the passive approach. I’m done pretending that exposure to wisdom is the same as absorbing it. Having access to transformational content means nothing if I never actually transform.
 My Commitment: Depth Over Speed
This time, I’m making a real commitment to slowing down. Not as a vague aspiration, but as a concrete practice with specific boundaries.
I’m committing to reading things that matter instead of scanning headlines that will be forgotten by tomorrow. I’m choosing substance over the sugar rush of breaking news and viral think pieces. I’m going to actually open those newsletters from the coaches, writers, and bloggers I respect—and not just open them, but sit with them. Underline passages. Take notes. Let the ideas marinate.
This means saying no to some things. It means protecting time that could easily be consumed by the tyranny of the urgent. It means resisting the pull of productivity theater—that feeling of being busy without actually being purposeful.
Why This Matters
You might wonder why I’m sharing this publicly. Isn’t it embarrassing to admit that a professional coach struggles with the same things everyone else does?
Actually, I think it’s essential.
Because growth isn’t a destination—it’s a practice. And practices require constant recommitment. The moment we think we’ve “arrived,” the moment we believe we’re beyond needing to do our own inner work, is the moment we stop growing.
I share this because I know I’m not alone. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve had your own version of this struggle. You’ve subscribed to things you never read. You’ve bought books that sit unopened. You’ve promised yourself you’d make time for what matters, then watched that time evaporate.
The question isn’t whether we fall into these patterns. The question is: what do we do when we notice?
Moving Forward
So here’s what I’m doing. I’m starting small. Three meaningful pieces per week instead of thirty skimmed headlines. I’m scheduling the time like I would schedule a client session—because this is important work. I’m creating accountability by making this public declaration.
And I’m extending myself some grace. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction.
If you’ve been struggling with something similar, I invite you to join me. What’s one area where your intentions haven’t translated into action? What would it look like to make a real commitment instead of just a wish?
We teach what we most need to learn. And right now, I’m learning—again—that slowing down isn’t a luxury. It’s how we stay connected to what matters most.
Here’s to choosing depth. Here’s to actually reading those emails. Here’s to the ongoing practice of becoming who we want to be.
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*What are you committed to slowing down for? I’d love to hear in the comments below.*