The world is continually changing. If you’re reading this, you may have asked yourself “when should I make a big change” multiple times in your life.
Making a change is scary.
Even more so when the world you live in is undergoing a significant change. Remote working is becoming the norm for numerous roles, roles that were once considered “secure” no longer are, and there is a general sense of uncertainty in the air.
What would you say if I told you now might be the perfect time to make that significant change? Fear can often paralyze us. It can be the stopping force that slams on the breaks when we’re ready to make a change. But fear can be overcome. First, identify why you want to make a change.
What is your inner drive for change? Is it for your family? For personal growth? Or did you work your way up a career path to find that your passion is no longer there?
Whatever the reason, making a change is near impossible without the drive to do so.
When Do You Need to Make a Change?
Our desires manifest in different ways. A willingness to change comes from more than a passing negative emotion or thought. We stop caring about making important decisions when we enter survival mode.
This is when we care more about getting through the day than we do about carving a path for our future. Life is undoubtedly complicated, and while it is challenging to tackle our true feelings towards our personal and professional life, we must if we want to become the person we’re looking to be.
That means making a change when you need to. Here are some common ways to identify when you need to make a change:
You’ve stopped growing – It can be a slippery slope when you stop working on yourself. Embrace who you are & take care of yourself. When we forget that, we tend to fall unhappy. This can be a sign that your surroundings aren’t challenging you anymore or that there is no longer a desire to improve.
You’re in survival mode – Everything can seem mundane when we don’t encounter new experiences or challenges. Survival mode for many is when we wake up, go to work, get home, pay the bills and repeat. You need to break the mould if you find you are always thinking about your ideal life.
You turn to compulsive behaviours – Addictions can slowly become the norm if we let them. Coping mechanisms such as chocolate, smoking, drugs and alcohol are used for when life isn’t providing the excitement we seek. These bad habits often contribute to other problems and is a clear sign that something is weighing you down.
Everything pushes you over the edge – Emotional resilience is something I talk about regularly. Losing control of your emotions when you encounter even a slight inconvenience can be a sign of many things. If you’re noticing that you experience these moments of intense emotion during your workday, while at home with a partner or when thinking about your life, it could be a sign that a change needs to occur in that area.
You always feel like there has to be more – It’s not uncommon to think about how things could be if we made different decisions in life. Yet, if this is becoming a daily ritual, then it could indicate that you aren’t happy with your life right now.
Why Make a Change Now?
The truth is, a change always comes with a risk.
“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing” – Denis Waitley.
It’s time to make a change if the thought of what could be is keeping you up at night. Still, it is understandable to have second thoughts while the voice of doubt creeps up in your mind.
I’m here to tell you that I believe in your ability to make a change and why the best time to do that is now:
Your Adaptability Is Being Challenged
Resilience and agility are the two most important skills that you can grow in your life. These skills only grow when you encounter resistance. Think of them as a muscle; they need to be continuously worked to get stronger.
Most of us are having to work these muscles now more than we ever have before. This may also be true for you, and you might find it uncomfortable. If you want to make a significant change in your life, there may not be a better time to stretch your wings and challenge your agility.
Adaptability always begins on a personal level. We should learn how to adapt our thinking, responses and thought patterns before we can apply that to other areas of our life.
The World Is Changing Rapidly
Are you someone that sees an opportunity in chaos or someone that shies away from it?
Most of us like to believe we seek an opportunity, but in reality, we turn to the safest option at that moment. As a coach, I had to commit to that change myself. It wasn’t easy at first. But through that venture, I was able to strengthen my adaptability and alter the path I was on, one in which my passions lay. My point here is that the safer option will ALWAYS look like the best option. Our brain hates change, and it will do what it can to ensure that you take the safer option.
Yet, if we look ahead, past that moment, what happens?
We end up on a safe path. The path travelled by many, the path of least resistance. Without change, these thoughts will surface again in the future.
Create Your Future Amidst Disruption
You may have more time than usual if your business has been affected by the 2020 pandemic. Whether you are now working remotely, working fewer shifts, working part-time or are finding there is less work, you have more time on your hands, time that you can use to create your future.
One thing you learn when becoming an entrepreneur is that you have to be proactive. If you want to make a living, you have to go out into the world and find it.
We can all learn from this lesson, even if you aren’t an entrepreneur. The level of involvement you take will attribute to the future you create. Seize the moment and look at the bigger picture. What do you want to do? Do you need to learn new skills? What avenues are there to getting that position? I would recommend getting a notebook or piece of paper and writing the answers to the above down. Get these thoughts in the open so that you can analyze them.
Then, look at what you can do right now to aid towards that dream. Try looking at available courses online to help you learn the relevant skills you need. You can also take certification courses online that can be the icing on the cake for your application form.
If growing your own business is one of your dreams, then leverage that free time to get started will put you heaps ahead of those waiting for things to get back to normal.
Ask Yourself the Big Question – What Would Your Life Look Like in 5 Years?
What would your life look like in 5 years if you don’t make a change now?
Are you feeling uncomfortable with that thought? Is it something you would change at all costs? I have met so many people throughout my career that have told me what they would love to do. So why did they do it?
Status, position, income and relationships are a few reasons why change seemed impossible for them. A question often asked when someone is willing to take a pay cut to be able to do what they want.
Suppose you aren’t passionate about the position you are working in, the person you are in a relationship with, your body image or anything in your life. In that case, you’ll likely be experiencing the same thoughts further down the line.
I want to let you know that it’s okay to pursue your dreams and take a different course. It may seem odd to others when you do, but ultimately, you should be making decisions that support what you want to do.
Remember that mistakes are unavoidable. There will be resistance at the beginning of any change, and you may even think that you’ve made the wrong decision. All of this is normal.
Personally, when I need to make a change, I always ask myself “If not now, when?”
That is usually all it takes for me to realize that at some point, I will need to make this change, so it’s easier to do it now.
Making a big change is never an easy task. It can come with a significant amount of stress, uncertainty and challenge. Realise that your adaptability is forever being challenged. We cannot know what we are truly capable of until it is time to tackle these challenges. If, however, you are finding that these hurdles are too much to bear, perhaps assistance could be the turning point. Reach out and let’s have a no-obligation strategy session to figure out what’s holding you back. You can schedule that by filling in this form.
Leave a Reply