Not long ago, I found myself in one of those classic “angel on one shoulder, devil on the other” situations. My book is coming out this summer—a project that has been years in the making, filled with heart, sweat, and more rewrites than I can count. But even though the manuscript is written, there’s still so much left to do: final edits, publishing, marketing, all the details that bring it to life.

And yet, instead of leaning into those next steps, I was daydreaming about hosting a retreat on the Amalfi Coast. I could picture it so clearly: mornings sipping espresso, afternoons leading yoga by the sea, and evenings clinking glasses of limoncello with a group of soulful women. Pure bliss, right?

Here’s the thing, though—I knew it wasn’t the right move. I dropped into meditation four separate times, asking Spirit for guidance, and every time my intuition said the same thing: No. Do not host a retreat in Italy. Focus on your book.

Did I listen? Sort of. For about five minutes. Then, like clockwork, my Itty-Bitty-Shitty Committee chimed in with its usual antics. But what if we just… asked Instagram? A quick poll couldn’t hurt, right? So, there I was, crowdsourcing my life purpose, hoping someone—anyone—would validate my desire to escape the hard work and head to Italy instead.

The truth is, this is how self-sabotage works. It pulls us away from what we truly desire under the guise of something more fun, easy, or tempting. My desire to retreat to Italy wasn’t really about connection or celebration; it was about avoiding the discomfort of staying focused on my dharma, my soul’s purpose: bringing this book into the world.

This pattern is what I write about in my book—the ways our Itty-Bitty-Shitty Committee sabotages us, keeping us stuck and out of alignment with our truth. But the beautiful thing is, we always have the power to choose differently.

The Power of Dharana

This is where dharana comes in. Dharana, which means “single-minded focus” in Sanskrit, is the antidote to self-sabotage. It’s the practice of anchoring our attention on a clear intention—one that comes from the heart and aligns with our dharma. When we combine clarity with focused action, we become unstoppable.

But let’s be real: staying aligned with our true self isn’t easy. Distraction, procrastination, and limiting beliefs love to creep in. The good news is that with awareness and intention, we can come back to our center every single time.

1. Drop Into Your Heart

Take a moment to pause and ask yourself: What do I truly want? What is my heart whispering to me? Not what my inner critic demands or what society says I “should” do, but what my soul is calling me toward.

Place your hand on your heart, close your eyes, and listen. This is where your dharma—the purpose only you can fulfill—lives.

2. Align Your Beliefs and Actions

Once you’re clear on your intention, ask yourself: Are my beliefs and actions in alignment with this?

• Are you prioritizing what matters most? Or are you filling your time with distractions?

• Are your habits helping you move closer to your soul’s calling, or are they pulling you away?

Sometimes, self-sabotage sneaks in through subtle behaviors, like procrastination or perfectionism. Take an honest inventory and make one small shift to realign.

3. Focus with Dharana

Dharana is about single-minded focus—choosing your intention and pouring your energy into it.

• Create dedicated, distraction-free time for your priorities.

• Break your goal into smaller steps, and celebrate each milestone.

• When you notice yourself slipping, pause and remind yourself why this intention matters.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about practicing presence and bringing yourself back to center, over and over again.

The Invitation

As you reflect on dharana, I invite you to drop into your heart and get clear on your intention. What is calling to you? What matters most?

Then ask yourself: Are your actions, beliefs, and habits supporting this calling? Or are they pulling you away? If they’re not aligned, what’s one small step you can take today to realign?

When we align our focus with our dharma, we create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it.

And if you’re ready to connect with your heart and align with your purpose, I’ve created a self-led New Moon Ritual to help you get started. It includes yoga, guided meditation, and a journal workbook to help you drop into your heart and listen to the whisper of your soul. It’s perfect for the new year, a new season, or whenever you need to reset.

Your heart knows the way. It’s time to listen.

[Explore the New Moon Ritual Here for $22]

Let’s stay focused on what truly matters—together.

Much love,

Audrey