Your Guide to Identifying and Overcoming Triggers for Business Growth
Are Emotional Triggers Secretly Sabotaging Your Business Success?
As ambitious women striving for massive forward momentum in our businesses, we often focus on strategy, marketing, and sales. But what if there's an invisible force silently undermining our efforts? What if those unexpected, intense emotional reactions – those triggers – are the real culprits holding us back from consistent five-figure months and the life we truly desire?
I get it. You're driven, you're capable, and you're determined. Yet, sometimes a seemingly small comment, a misinterpreted email, or even a feeling of being overlooked can send you into a tailspin. Suddenly, you're overwhelmed, second-guessing yourself, or avoiding crucial tasks. You might find yourself in a whirlwind of negative thoughts, replaying past hurts, and feeling completely out of control.
The truth is, these triggers aren't really about the present moment. They're echoes from our past, old wounds that get unexpectedly poked, causing a disproportionate emotional response. Our bodies and minds react as if we're reliving those painful experiences, even when the current situation is entirely neutral. This disconnect between the present reality and our emotional reaction is where the sabotage begins.
Think about it. Have you ever received a text message with neutral words but the tone you perceived sent you spiraling into a story of feeling dismissed? Or perhaps a simple request for help triggered a wave of resentment, reminding you of past codependent relationships? Maybe feeling unseen in a group setting throws you back to childhood feelings of loneliness and being ignored. In these moments, we're not responding to what is, but to the ghosts of what was.
And why does this matter for your business success? Because our thoughts create feelings, and those feelings drive our actions – or inactions – which ultimately shape our results. If you're constantly triggered, you might start avoiding networking events, sales conversations, or taking necessary risks, all because you're subconsciously trying to protect yourself from those uncomfortable emotions.
Furthermore, our emotional state has a profound impact on our energetic vibration. When we're feeling disempowered – angry, sad, hopeless, or ashamed – our body's frequency drops. According to the law of vibration, like attracts like. So, operating from a low energetic state can inadvertently attract more of what we don't want: fewer client inquiries, stalled sales, and a general lack of momentum.
The good news is that you don't have to be a victim of your triggers. You have the power to understand them, navigate them, and ultimately, overcome them.
The 5-Step Trigger-to-Truth Process
Here's a practical process I use with my clients to help them break free from the grip of their triggers:
Name the Pattern: The first step is awareness. When you feel that disproportionate emotional response, acknowledge, "I'm being triggered right now." Then, ask yourself: What feels familiar about this situation? When have I felt this way before? Identifying recurring patterns helps disrupt the automatic emotional cycle and brings conscious awareness to the forefront.
What Age Does This Emotion Feel Like?: Connect with the root of the trigger by asking: What age does this emotion feel like? What's the earliest time I remember feeling this way? Who or what first made me feel this? This process can uncover underlying wounds like abandonment, betrayal, or shame, often stemming from childhood or even past experiences.
Regulate Your Nervous System: You cannot effectively rewire your brain when you're in a state of emotional dysregulation. Employ techniques to calm your nervous system. Simple breathwork (like a 4-second inhale and 8-second exhale), applying cold water to your wrists, EFT tapping, or even repeating the phrase "I am safe" can help bring you back to a more balanced state.
Reframe Your Brain and Your Story: Once you're regulated, you can start to challenge the narrative your triggered state has created. Ask yourself: Is this story I'm telling myself actually true? What is the objective reality of the situation? Reframe the situation from a more logical and empowered perspective. For example, if a request makes you feel overwhelmed due to a past feeling of responsibility for everyone, reframe it by acknowledging your current capacity and boundaries.
Respond from Wholeness, Not Wounding: With awareness, regulation, and reframing, you can now respond to the situation from a place of empowerment and clarity, rather than reacting from your past wounds. This allows you to communicate your needs, set boundaries, and take action in alignment with your goals, without being hijacked by your emotions.
By becoming aware of your triggers and implementing these steps, you can begin to expedite your healing journey and create the space for true spiral up momentum in your business and life. It's time to ditch the overwhelm, break free from the out-of-control emotions, and start taking aligned action towards the success you deserve. You are in control, and you have the power to spiral up.
