Nudge from Your Future Self:
💬 “Guilt is often just old programming dressed up as being of service.”

— from Sustainable Success Companion Guide, Chapter 5

This week: Begin to notice where guilt shows up in your work.
Not to judge—but to get curious. ​​
Often, guilt is a mask.
What it’s covering up might surprise you.

If you’re willing, guilt can be a growth signal pointing to where you’re ready to evolve.

Melinda, you care deeply about your work and clients. You’re a giver, a nurturer—someone who shows up, serves well, and goes the extra mile.

It feels like integrity. Like responsibility.

But when showing up turns into overextending, when boundaries blur and your needs disappear… That’s often not just commitment—it’s guilt, disguised as over-service.

Guilt can be sneaky like that.

Most high performers assume that guilt is a sign they’re doing something wrong.

Especially when it comes to saying no.
Or taking space.
Or prioritizing something just for themselves.

But I want to offer you a different lens:

Guilt isn’t the problem.
Guilt is a signal.

It often points to something deeper—something worth healing, not avoiding.

Before we go further, I want to pause—because what comes next may challenge you.
But it’s also the gateway to becoming the version of you your vision and goals are asking for.
If you’re willing, it could be the shift that changes everything.

Take a breath, get grounded. You in?

Enter: The Guilt Iceberg

What you feel as guilt on the surface is often just the tip of the iceberg.

Below the surface?
You’ll often find:

• Fear of being seen as selfish
  
  
• Fear of looking unprofessional or not committed
  
  
• Fear of letting someone down
  
  
• A hidden belief that your needs don’t matter as much
  
  
• A hidden association that your worth is tied to your level of busyness or productivity
  
  
• A deeper question: Am I still worthy if I stop over-delivering?
  

And beneath that?

Often… an identity-level conflict.

Who am I if I’m not constantly doing, proving, or performing?

Think of an area in your business (or life) where guilt keeps showing up.
Then ask yourself:

What is this guilt protecting me from feeling or facing?
And… what does it reveal about who I believe I need to be?

You don’t have to answer right away.
Just notice.
The noticing is the work.

Next week, we’ll explore how saying no—even when it feels wrong—is one of the most powerful ways to lead yourself forward.

With love,
Melinda

P.S. If you’ve started using the Sustainable Success Companion Guide, you’ll notice this week’s theme reflected in the Chapter 5 section. It includes a deeper exploration of guilt, identity, and “The Intentional No.” I also tell the story about how I fired myself from marketing the business and how I turned things around.

👉 Grab the Companion Guide if you missed it.