Steps to Navigating Your Personal Purpose Journey

Steps to Navigating Your Personal Purpose Journey

In this episode, Melissa discusses how we are overcomplicating the idea of “finding our purpose.” She breaks down why so many of us get stuck, whether we’re in the camp that desperately wants to live a purposeful life or the camp that feels like purpose is some unrealistic luxury. Melissa explores the generational shift happening right now, how old expectations collide with new freedoms, and why so many people feel torn between wanting a meaningful life and feeling like they don’t have permission to pursue it. She talks about the real reasons people end up confused, bitter, or frozen, and provides actionable steps if you’ve spent years saying, “I don’t know what I want.” You’ll hear her simple definition of purpose (and why it’s way simpler than you think), along with the three steps she believes are essential for a purposeful life. Melissa also shares a personal example that shows what it looks like to follow the small stirrings of your soul.. This episode is an invitation to take the pressure off, reconnect with yourself, and remember that purpose isn’t a job title, it’s listening to and honoring what your soul wants, one action at a time.   This episode is for: * Anyone who feels a quiet tug toward something they haven’t acted on yet * People who worry they’ll look back someday wishing they’d done things differently * High achievers who follow expectations but feel disconnected from what they actually want * Anyone afraid of disappointing others or being judged for honoring themselves * Those curious about what their soul is nudging them toward, what’s getting in the way, and how to move forward And…if you’re ready to explore a life of Aligned Success, Click here [https://calendly.com/melissacoloton/60-minute-consult/] to book a free 1-hour consultation with Melissa. In This Episode, We Talk About * Different reasons people may get stuck in “finding” their purpose * How to notice what truly matters to you * Ways to take meaningful action in your life * How to reflect, learn, and adjust as you go Resources To Help Get You Started: * Take my Quiz: Where Are You Abandoning Yourself? [https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68f58032d65eea001566992e] and receive a free 7-day targeted action plan to get started * My free 3-part “Introduction to Honoring Yourself” email series - get it here [https://melissacoloton-coaching-consulting.kit.com/990c04f424] The Honor You Course: If you're ready to take your next step toward aligned success, I'm excited to share that the self-paced version of The Honor You Lab [https://melissacoloton.com/the-honor-you-lab] i https://melissacoloton.com/the-honor-you-labs now open! The Honor You Lab is a 6‑week transformational reset designed for professionals who know there has to be a better way than burnout, survival, and autopilot success. Inside the Lab you’ll find structured audio lessons, activities, and prompts to help you develop a new internal framework that helps you reset, reconnect with yourself, and live life according to your needs, not external expectations.   Let’s connect! Instagram: @melissa_coloton [https://www.instagram.com/melissa_coloton/] Website: melissacoloton.com/ [https://melissacoloton.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/ [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/] TikTok: @melissacoloton [https://www.tiktok.com/@melissacoloton] YouTube: @melissacolotonshow [https://www.youtube.com/@melissacolotonshow/] About The Honor You Podcast The Honor You Podcast explores personal growth, purpose, identity, and what it means to honor who you are becoming, without burnout, shame, or hustle culture. Hosted by Melissa Coloton, the show blends reflection, insight, and practical tools through the framework of The Honor You Method, offering grounded guidance for navigating transitions, leadership, and aligned decision-making. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen inward, and make intentional choices rooted in your values, your season, and your well-being. This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring yourself, one aligned step at a time.

Is Attachment to the Outcome Getting in the Way of Your Dreams?

What if the thing standing between you and the life you want isn't a lack of talent, motivation, or opportunity, but your attachment to the outcome itself? In this week’s episode, Melissa shares how deeply wanting something can sometimes create the very resistance that keeps us from fully pursuing it. She unpacks the subtle ways fear of failure, perfectionism, and emotional attachment can show up as procrastination, overthinking, self-doubt, and playing small, even when we genuinely want to move forward. Melissa also offers practical ways to recognize when you're "pushing the gas and the brake at the same time," along with a powerful perspective shift that can help you stop gripping so tightly and start trusting yourself more. Whether you're building a business, navigating a career transition, pursuing a relationship, or chasing a long-held dream, this conversation will help you approach your goals with greater confidence, alignment, and freedom. Listen if: * You have a goal or dream that feels deeply important to you * You keep starting and stopping instead of fully committing * You're afraid of failing at something you really care about * You find yourself overthinking every step or outcome And…if you’re ready to explore a life of Aligned Success, Click here [https://calendly.com/melissacoloton/60-minute-consult/] to book a free 1-hour consultation with Melissa. This Episode Is For: * People navigating career changes or personal growth * Anyone struggling with perfectionism or fear of failure * Those who are ready to stop holding themselves back and start moving forward with more trust and confidence * Entrepreneurs and business owners Resources To Help Get You Started: * Take my Quiz: Where Are You Abandoning Yourself? [https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68f58032d65eea001566992e] and receive a free 7-day targeted action plan to get started * My free 3-part “Introduction to Honoring Yourself” email series - get it here [https://melissacoloton-coaching-consulting.kit.com/990c04f424] The Honor You Course: If you're ready to take your next step toward aligned success, I'm excited to share that the self-paced version of The Honor You Lab [https://melissacoloton.com/the-honor-you-lab] i https://melissacoloton.com/the-honor-you-labs now open! The Honor You Lab is a 6‑week transformational reset designed for professionals who know there has to be a better way than burnout, survival, and autopilot success. Inside the Lab you’ll find structured audio lessons, activities, and prompts to help you develop a new internal framework that helps you reset, reconnect with yourself, and live life according to your needs, not external expectations.   Let’s connect! Instagram: @melissa_coloton [https://www.instagram.com/melissa_coloton/] Website: melissacoloton.com/ [https://melissacoloton.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/ [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/] TikTok: @melissacoloton [https://www.tiktok.com/@melissacoloton] YouTube: @melissacolotonshow [https://www.youtube.com/@melissacolotonshow/] About The Honor You Podcast The Honor You Podcast explores personal growth, purpose, identity, and what it means to honor who you are becoming, without burnout, shame, or hustle culture. Hosted by Melissa Coloton, the show blends reflection, insight, and practical tools through the framework of The Honor You Method, offering grounded guidance for navigating transitions, leadership, and aligned decision-making. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen inward, and make intentional choices rooted in your values, your season, and your well-being. This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring yourself, one aligned step at a time.

Is It Burnout or Is It Trauma?

In this episode, Melissa explores a question that shifted the way she understands her own experience after leaving corporate leadership and building her coaching business: Was it really burnout, or was it trauma? After spending years believing she was recovering from burnout, Melissa shares how a recent realization uncovered something deeper. Through personal reflection, self-coaching, and honest examination, she discovered that what she had labeled as burnout may have actually been more along the lines of trauma as a result of prolonged exposure to workplace bullying, fear, and chronic stress. Melissa discusses the difference between burnout and trauma, how unresolved experiences can quietly influence our willingness to pursue new goals, and why understanding the root cause matters in how you approach moving forward.  In This Episode, Melissa shares: * Key differences between burnout and trauma * Why fear from past experiences can hold you back from pursuing future goals * How trauma can disguise itself as caution, hesitation, or perfectionism Listen If: * You keep telling yourself you're burned out, but rest doesn't seem to help * A difficult work experience still affects your confidence today * You're struggling to fully commit to a goal, dream, business, or next chapter * You feel like you're pushing the gas and brake at the same time And…if you’re ready to explore a life of Aligned Success, Click here [https://calendly.com/melissacoloton/60-minute-consult/] to book a free 1-hour consultation with Melissa. This Episode Is For People Who: * Professionals recovering from toxic work environments * Entrepreneurs building something meaningful after corporate life * Anyone carrying emotional residue from past experiences Resources To Help Get You Started: * Take my Quiz: Where Are You Abandoning Yourself? [https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68f58032d65eea001566992e] and receive a free 7-day targeted action plan to get started * My free 3-part “Introduction to Honoring Yourself” email series - get it here [https://melissacoloton-coaching-consulting.kit.com/990c04f424] The Honor You Course: If you're ready to take your next step toward aligned success, I'm excited to share that the self-paced version of The Honor You Lab i [https://melissacoloton.thrivecart.com/the-honor-you-lab-course/]s now open! The Honor You Lab is a 6‑week transformational reset designed for professionals who know there has to be a better way than burnout, survival, and autopilot success. Inside the Lab you’ll find structured audio lessons, activities, and prompts to help you develop a new internal framework that helps you reset, reconnect with yourself, and live life according to your needs, not external expectations.   Let’s connect! Instagram: @melissa_coloton [https://www.instagram.com/melissa_coloton/] Website: melissacoloton.com/ [https://melissacoloton.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/ [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/] TikTok: @melissacoloton [https://www.tiktok.com/@melissacoloton] YouTube: @melissacolotonshow [https://www.youtube.com/@melissacolotonshow/] About The Honor You Podcast The Honor You Podcast explores personal growth, purpose, identity, and what it means to honor who you are becoming, without burnout, shame, or hustle culture. Hosted by Melissa Coloton, the show blends reflection, insight, and practical tools through the framework of The Honor You Method, offering grounded guidance for navigating transitions, leadership, and aligned decision-making. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen inward, and make intentional choices rooted in your values, your season, and your well-being. This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring yourself, one aligned step at a time.

The Major Thing Missing in You Being Able to Reach Your Goals and Why You Need This Particular Skill to Get Anything in Life

Podcast Description: In this episode, Melissa explores one of the most overlooked factors in achieving your goals: identifying what you're truly willing—and unwilling—to do to create the life you want. Whether you're building a business, pursuing a personal dream, improving your health, or stepping into a bigger version of yourself, there often comes a point where excitement fades and resistance takes over. Melissa shares a simple but powerful exercise that helps uncover the hidden beliefs, fears, and assumptions keeping you stuck. Drawing from her own journey as an entrepreneur and thought leader, she walks through how this practice helped her identify subconscious fears around burnout, visibility, and success, and how shifting those patterns created new momentum. If you've ever wondered why you keep getting in your own way despite knowing what your soul wants, this episode offers a way to look at what's happening beneath the surface and move forward with more intention. Listen If: * You have a goal that feels important but you can't seem to make progress on it * You start strong but lose momentum somewhere in the middle * You feel frustrated with yourself for procrastinating or staying stuck * You're navigating a career change, business growth, or personal transformation * You want to understand how fear, safety, and self-sabotage affect decision-making And…if you’re ready to explore a life of Aligned Success, Click here [https://calendly.com/melissacoloton/60-minute-consult/] to book a free 1-hour consultation with Melissa. This Episode Is For People Who: * Know there's something they want but can't figure out why they're hesitating * Are tired of setting goals that never seem to stick * Want to stop letting fear quietly run the show * Are building a business, pursuing a dream, or stepping into a new season of life * Want practical mindset tools without toxic positivity or hustle culture Resources To Help Get You Started: * Take my Quiz: Where Are You Abandoning Yourself? [https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68f58032d65eea001566992e] and receive a free 7-day targeted action plan to get started * My free 3-part “Introduction to Honoring Yourself” email series - get it here [https://melissacoloton-coaching-consulting.kit.com/990c04f424] The Honor You Course: If you're ready to take your next step toward aligned success, I'm excited to share that the self-paced version of The Honor You Lab i [https://melissacoloton.thrivecart.com/the-honor-you-lab-course/]s now open! The Honor You Lab is a 6‑week transformational reset designed for professionals who know there has to be a better way than burnout, survival, and autopilot success. Inside the Lab you’ll find structured audio lessons, activities, and prompts to help you develop a new internal framework that helps you reset, reconnect with yourself, and live life according to your needs, not external expectations. Let’s connect! Instagram: @melissa_coloton [https://www.instagram.com/melissa_coloton/] Website: melissacoloton.com/ [https://melissacoloton.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/ [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/] TikTok: @melissacoloton [https://www.tiktok.com/@melissacoloton] YouTube: @melissacolotonshow [https://www.youtube.com/@melissacolotonshow/] About The Honor You Podcast The Honor You Podcast explores personal growth, purpose, identity, and what it means to honor who you are becoming, without burnout, shame, or hustle culture. Hosted by Melissa Coloton, the show blends reflection, insight, and practical tools through the framework of The Honor You Method, offering grounded guidance for navigating transitions, leadership, and aligned decision-making. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen inward, and make intentional choices rooted in your values, your season, and your well-being. This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring yourself, one aligned step at a time.

Inner Work, Embodiment, and the Practice of Honoring Yourself: A Conversation with Candice Van Dertholen

In this episode, Melissa sits down with Candice Van Dertholen for a conversation on inner work, embodiment, and sustainable success. Together, they explore why we often fall into the cycle of constantly chasing the next goal instead of feeling present with what we’ve already created and are currently experiencing. They unpack the connection between inner work, self-worth, and long-term success, and how internal alignment directly impacts external results. This episode also highlights how past challenges and life experiences can become powerful strengths when reframed through self-awareness and personal growth. Melissa and Candice discuss the growing pains of entrepreneurship and personal development, especially during seasons of expansion, overwhelm, and identity shifts. Listeners will also walk away with insights on how to reconnect with abundance, gratitude, and presence—especially when life feels busy, uncertain, or emotionally heavy. Listen in as Melissa and Candice discuss: * Why we constantly chase the next achievement instead of appreciating where we are * The connection between inner work, self-worth, and sustainable success * How past challenges can become your greatest gifts and strengths * The growing pains that often accompany personal and professional growth * Practical ways to reconnect with abundance, gratitude, and presence Listen if: * You're always waiting for the next milestone before allowing yourself to feel successful * You're experiencing overwhelm, burnout, or emotional exhaustion * You struggle with guilt when life is going well but still feels hard * You're navigating a season of personal or business growth * You're ready to reconnect with yourself and live more intentionally And…if you’re ready to explore a life of Aligned Success, Click here [https://calendly.com/melissacoloton/60-minute-consult/] to book a free 1-hour consultation with Melissa. More about Candice: Candice Van Dertholen is a Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, and Private Advisor to conscious business owners. She is the founder of The Warrior Within Healing and brings over 20 years of experience across leadership, small business development, and wellness. Her work centers on root-cause healing, supporting both emerging healers and purpose-driven entrepreneurs in rebuilding inner trust, strengthening clarity, and expanding their businesses with intention. Candice integrates embodiment and nervous system regulation as the foundation, then guides clients into aligned, sustainable growth strategies that support long-term success. She also serves as Vice President of HR-4U Inc. and leads the virtual chapter for Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce initiatives. LINKS Booking Site:  https://heal.me/candice [https://heal.me/candice] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen] Instagram: https://instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co [https://instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co]   This Episode Is For People Who Are: * ready to actually feel present and grounded * successful on paper but still feel like something is missing and can’t shake the “is this it?” feeling * tired of chasing the next goal, milestone, or achievement just to feel okay for five minutes * deep in personal growth or entrepreneurship and secretly feel overwhelmed, burnt out, or stretched too thin   Resources To Help Get You Started: * Take my Quiz: Where Are You Abandoning Yourself? [https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/68f58032d65eea001566992e] and receive a free 7-day targeted action plan to get started * My free 3-part “Introduction to Honoring Yourself” email series - get it here [https://melissacoloton-coaching-consulting.kit.com/990c04f424] The Honor You Course: If you're ready to take your next step toward aligned success, I'm excited to share that the self-paced version of The Honor You Lab i [https://melissacoloton.thrivecart.com/the-honor-you-lab-course/]s now open! The Honor You Lab is a 6‑week transformational reset designed for professionals who know there has to be a better way than burnout, survival, and autopilot success. Inside the Lab you’ll find structured audio lessons, activities, and prompts to help you develop a new internal framework that helps you reset, reconnect with yourself, and live life according to your needs, not external expectations. Let’s connect! Instagram: @melissa_coloton [https://www.instagram.com/melissa_coloton/] Website: melissacoloton.com/ [https://melissacoloton.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-coloton-coach/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/ [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.c.fernandes.50/] TikTok: @melissacoloton [https://www.tiktok.com/@melissacoloton] YouTube: @melissacolotonshow [https://www.youtube.com/@melissacolotonshow/] About The Honor You Podcast The Honor You Podcast explores personal growth, purpose, identity, and what it means to honor who you are becoming, without burnout, shame, or hustle culture. Hosted by Melissa Coloton, the show blends reflection, insight, and practical tools through the framework of The Honor You Method, offering grounded guidance for navigating transitions, leadership, and aligned decision-making. Each episode invites you to slow down, listen inward, and make intentional choices rooted in your values, your season, and your well-being. This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about honoring yourself, one aligned step at a time.