Mapping What You Avoid
Avoidance is the silent killer of potential. The things you avoid are usually the things that would change your life the most — because they carry the most emotional weight.
By mapping your avoidance patterns, you can see them clearly, understand the triggers, and create small steps toward action instead of retreat.
The Avoidance Cycle
Recognize the pattern to break it
Trigger Map
Replace bad patterns with good ones
Trigger
Opening email inbox
Bad pattern
Scrolling social media instead
Substitute
Process top 3 emails immediately
Trigger
Thinking about finances
Bad pattern
Watching Netflix to numb out
Substitute
Open budget spreadsheet for 5 min
Trigger
Conflict with partner
Bad pattern
Going silent and withdrawing
Substitute
Say 'I need 10 min then let's talk'
What I'm Avoiding
Having the tough conversation with my partner about our future
Fear of conflict and potential rejection
Starting the business plan I've been thinking about
Afraid of committing and then failing publicly
Going to the dentist (overdue by 8 months)
Dental anxiety and fear of bad news
Asking for a raise at work
Fear of being told I'm not worth it
Running my first 5K race
Worried about finishing last or not finishing