How to Listen When the Universe Tries to Tell You Something
Summary: Sometimes life whispers. Sometimes it shouts. If you're feeling restless, frustrated, or stuck, it's not random — it's a sign you're being nudged toward something new. Learning to listen to these messages, instead of resisting them, is the key to growing without losing yourself along the way.
There are no coincidences
When you experience moments of uncanny connection, the universe is trying to tell you something.
Have you ever felt like the universe is talking to you?
You’re not imagining it.
We all get nudged. But we often ignore the signs—until we can’t anymore.
Three Kinds of Nudges We Ignore
Before we dive in, let me break down how the universe often speaks:
Whispers: that inner itch or gentle discomfort
Coincidences: repeated messages or uncanny timing
Shouts: a job loss, a diagnosis, or a breakdown
Keep these in mind as I share my own story—they showed up in order.
It Started With a Whisper
One morning, I was driving to the office.
It was day one of our tech startup’s merger with a bigger company.
Thirty of us were about to enter a new world.
I was one minute away when an SUV made a sharp left turn.
I bumped into it.
The airbag exploded. My mouth was cut in eight places.
I thought I broke my jaw.
I was okay. But it shook me awake.
Then Came the Coincidences
Looking back, I had already been ignoring small signs.
Like a frog in boiling water, I hadn’t noticed how uncomfortable things had become.
Years later, the nudges returned—louder.
Burnout crept in.
Daily pangs of impostor syndrome.
I couldn’t ignore them anymore.
I had an honest conversation with my managing partner.
I pitched an idea I believed could help our clients long-term.
He was honest, too: the partner track I was on wasn’t going where I hoped.
Finally, the Shout
Then came the confusing feedback.
After years of top-tier performance, something had changed.
(That’s another story.)
It all felt like a crescendo.
The universe wasn’t whispering anymore.
It was shouting.
When It’s Time to Leap
Whitney Johnson, author of the book Disrupt Yourself, said it perfectly:
"When you lose your job, hypothesis, you're at the top of an S Curve. It's time for you to jump. You know it, and you won't do it. So the universe (makes a flick sound) gives you that nudge....Your plateau becomes a precipice."
If you're bored and no longer learning, you might be feeling your own nudge.
Want a deeper dive?
You can watch Whitney's full video from HBR on How and When to Disrupt Yourself if you want a little inspiration.
Are You Getting a Nudge Right Now?
Are you bored and no longer learning?
Are little things starting to feel off?
Are patterns or messages repeating in your life?
Pay attention.
Your whisper may already be turning into a shout.
The Truth About Change
Here’s the truth:
Reinvention is part of who we are.
But we resist it.
We stay comfortable— even when comfort stops serving us.
We blame boredom or frustration, instead of facing the call for change.
But reading the clues is part of what it takes to Find Your Passion—my method for navigating life and career crossroads. I wrote about it here.
Finding Passion helps you tune into both kinds of messages:
The ones from the universe
And the ones deep within you
When you do, you’ll know your next right step.
Honestly, I’ve ignored the signs more than once. I’ve even laughed at billboards that felt like personal messages.
Don’t be like me back then.
Don’t resist the nudges.
Don’t rush past the friction.
Don’t avoid the hard but important questions.
You are being guided. Listen.
Need help to align to messages from the universe? Let's chat!
🔸 Make a career change that lasts
🔸 Become the person you want to be
🔸 Harness your true potential
🔸 Align with what you really want now
Take the next right step. Let’s get to the root of what’s holding you back. Click the button below to see how it works. Book a call today.
