It’s very common to feel stuck in a rut with life and that you have lost your direction or can’t see a way to change things. There are, however, many ways to make significant shifts in your life and it is important to look at the bigger picture and spend the time to work out where you truly want to go and what the steps are to get you there. For example, if you want a new career, ensure you know exactly which qualifications are necessary. Be clear in your goals so that you know the direction you are going in, be positive and kind to yourself and welcome failure as part of your learning journey. Think about relocating to explore new cultures and discover new ways of living or work towards a career change to find a job which offers you a more rewarding path. Whatever you need to change in your life, follow these seven steps and see the possibilities open up before you.
Set your goals
Setting your goals is essential if you are truly going to achieve them. If you are not clear in your own mind in terms of where you want your life to be, then it becomes very difficult to see which path will take you there. Even if your dreams seem unrealistic, use them as a starting point to write a list of your goals, as once you have this, you can begin to break them down into achievable smaller steps. Ensure that your goals are SMART, meaning specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Being specific helps you to flesh out your goals, and by putting a deadline on them, it gives you something clear to aim for.
Be positive
Don’t underestimate the power of positivity to help change your life. In fact, by changing the way you think about yourself, your relationship, job, or life, in general, you can dramatically change the outcome too. Try to open yourself up to new ways of thinking and avoid negative content, whether that is online or in real life. For example, if you have a friend or there is someone on social media who often makes you feel bad about yourself, then it is time to remove that person from your life, making room instead for those who nurture you and build you up. Practice kindness towards yourself, and try not to judge yourself or others too harshly. Another good way to bring more positivity into your life on a daily basis is by practicing affirmations. These are positive sayings or mantras that can help you to feel good about yourself or a situation. If, for example, you are a nervous public speaker and have been asked to give an important work presentation that is worrying you, spend a few minutes each morning telling yourself aloud that you are strong and engaging, which will help you to give a powerful presentation.
Change your career
Switching career at any stage of life can be daunting, but that is no reason to stay in an unsatisfactory job or one with few progression prospects. Perhaps you never really knew what you wanted to do and fell into your current role or maybe you are between jobs and long to feel inspired by your daily work? The first step is to assess your current position honestly. Is there something about your job that you loathe or love? Focus on your likes, and this will help you to narrow your search for a new career. For example, if you are not a naturally organized person and the thought of being responsible for planning and coordinating events brings you out in a cold sweat then a career as a project manager, event planner or PA are not best suited to your natural skill set. Instead look at what you do well and what you enjoy the most, as the more enjoyment you find in your job, the more likely you are to succeed at it. Once you have a list of the things you are looking for, begin researching the career options that fit best. Contact people who are currently in these roles and ask them about their lives, you’ll be surprised to find that many people will take the time to talk to you about how they got to where they are and may offer valuable advice. To find out whether a role is well suited to you before making any big changes, it is best to truly get a flavor of it from those who do it. Doing so can also be a good way to learn how they got into the field and an ideal networking opportunity, which could also open future possibilities for you.
Relocate
Moving home can be a big step and relocating city, state or country even more so, but if you want to shake up your life then write a list of the key things you are looking for in an area and begin to narrow down the possibilities. Are good schools important and a welcoming family-friendly neighborhood, or are you more interested in a buzzing nightlife or sporty lifestyle? If you are looking for a major change in your life, why not consider moving country? Perhaps language is a major factor when deciding where to go or the weather? Or is ease of travel paramount, in which case areas of Europe offer easy access to a multitude of countries. You must check the visa or working regulations in any country you are considering moving to, and one way to make the move hassle-free is to work for an international company who can sponsor your visa or help to set you up with a new job in your new country of residence. A new country offers new opportunities, new social networks and different cultures to explore, but it is wise to get professional immigration help to ease such a big transition. For example, if you know someone hoping to migrate to the USA then seeking the help of immigration attorneys, lawyers and employment visa law firms can make the whole process go smoothly and successfully; take a look here for more info. Wherever you plan to move to, it is a good idea to check out the area first and make a detailed financial plan, so you know you have enough income to cover your expenses, as well as having some money saved for an emergency or any unforeseen circumstances.
Expand your social circle
All too often when people are stuck in a rut, it can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety and isolation, which often compound things, making you feel worse. There are many things you can do to get past these negative feelings, such as self-care, or a regular calming practice such as yoga or meditation, and surrounding yourself with people is another way to combat feeling isolated. In contemporary society, it is very easy for people to connect online, with more and more time spent on social media, yet it is often at the sacrifice of real-life friends. Keep in touch with existing friends, for example, set a regular date with old friends, a Saturday brunch at a favorite restaurant or a regular weekend away together, which will allow you quality time to catch up. Staying in people’s lives takes effort, but if your friendship is valuable to you, then put the work in to keep it. If you want to expand your social circle, try taking an evening class in something that interests you, whether that’s photography or cookery, bike maintenance or economics. It also means that anyone you meet on the course already shares an interest with you. Learning or developing a new skill can boost your self-esteem, open your social circle and add to your resume, thereby opening your career options too. If a new qualification would help your career, then seek out an adult education course that provides it and make the conscious choice to be proactive in moving forward.
Get out of your comfort zone
In order to change your life for the better, you need to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. If you never venture beyond your routine, then it is difficult for new and exciting things to enter your life. Take a look at your everyday life and begin by making small changes at first, which could mean meat-free Mondays or walking a different route to work each day. Expand into bigger challenges, such as trying out rock climbing or going to a social event you would previously have turned down.
Don’t be afraid to fail
Failure should not be something to fear. Instead, it can be the best teacher, and failing is a necessary part of achieving anything worth doing. If you are attempting to make significant changes to your life, then embrace the potential for failure, and know that everyone who has reached the top of their profession has failed at some point on their way up. Allow yourself to make mistakes without feeling too bad about them, and take the time to work out what went wrong and how you can learn from it and do better in your next attempt. By embracing the possibilities of change and the probability of failing along the way towards a new life, you will reach a more contented place and open yourself up to new and exciting opportunities.
