“There’s nothing on TV!” This was a common complaint of mine, growing up in the 70s with only 3 network stations plus PBS which we didn’t really consider a viable option once past the age of 6.

“Try reading something” my whistle-while-you-work mom shouted from the kitchen. What was she doing in there anyway? I had no idea & had zero interest in finding out unless it meant a wooden spoon full of monster cookie dough needing to be cleaned by my tongue.

I took a swig from my sweaty can of Mello Yello, slid my body off the brown velvet sofa & scanned the living room before my eyes landed on Erma Bombeck’s “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank”.

I stared at the cover of this book with the lady in curlers holding a kid with one arm while rolling her riding lawnmower over the darker, lusher patch of grass. Back then, I figured that punny little title was just another poop joke (not super uncommon in our house).

But the “grass isn’t greener” concept managed to lodge itself so far into my subconscious brain that it ruled many of my choices throughout my adult life.

In the corporate setting, we often call people who leave & come back “boomerangs”. And to me, the fact that even one person had done so was a clear indication that the grass was NOT greener elsewhere.

I LIVED this concept & even took pride in the fact that I was able to resist temptations of positions within the bank that may have looked interesting, but I was “smart” & knew that no position would come without headaches.

At this point, you might be surprised to hear me say that I still believe that the original meaning of this phrase rings true. Even Queen Elizabeth had days she’d rather be schlepping fish & chips*.

But taken too far, that belief can backfire.

Instead of believing that the grass is alwaysgreener, I’d started acting as if it would never be greener. I was happy & enjoyed my job, but also unintentionally keeping myself from exploring new possibilities that could be of interest to me.

It wasn’t until I challenged this belief by asking myself if this was really true that I realized I had this limiting belief & I now challenge myself to ask “what if the grass really is greener?” & “what if it does work out?” when considering all kinds of changes.

Working with a coach helped me uncover & reshape several of these invisible rules. It’s some of the most exciting work I’ve ever done because once you start naming those limiting beliefs, the world looks shockingly full of possibility.

Curious to try it yourself? Click the book your session button at the top of the screen to schedule a free consultation.

*This is not a true statement. Probably.