How can you discover your true purpose in life and create a new life around it?
Do you think you’d recognise indicators that highlight your need to re-light the fire within and make some changes in your personal or professional life, perhaps both?
If one or more of these feelings are familiar, perhaps now is a good time to start the process of contemplating a different path to move you forward in life:
- Lacking energy or a zest for life
- Lacking lacks purpose or meaning
- Feeing continually anxious and fearful about different situations in your life
- Comparing your life to others and it makes you feel weak and lacking
It’s important to know when the right time is for initiating a big change; for example, when to move or to change jobs, and that process involves both your brain and instincts. The following pointers will help to guide you to better understand your motives:
- If you feel in stuck in a rut, you need to test feeling and one way to check whether you need a change is to give yourself a little space and perspective, although that can be easier said than done. It may mean making yourself vulnerable by asking for help or advice, opening up to people that you trust or picturing yourself in another place or situation.
- Take charge of your change. It’s really important to have alternatives in mind. Gauge whether you really want to make a big change - plot out what a different course would look like and ensure you consider both positive and negative factors. Perhaps a smaller change could be a solution.
- Talk to someone in the field or at the company you might want to join. Think what you’ll need to do to make the change … perhaps some training or a certain amount of money. Assess whether the possibilities outweigh the potential setbacks and reflect on your assessment results.
However, bear in mind that not all life changes need to be big! A smaller change could work for you where just one (or a few) small adjustment might make a huge difference. For example, try visualising a different role at work as a possible solution, especially if you realise you may like things about where you are. Or consider taking a series of small incremental changes.
If you know you’re ready to make a shift, big or small, see it as forward progress so that leaving a stagnant position will be seen and felt as a relief. Tell yourself you’re running towards something new - it really helps to set fresh excitement and expectations.
A few things to help:
- Make a plan so you won’t feel aimless, plot some meaningful goals and visualise your future success – this will go long way to supporting your motivation and confidence.
- Try setting a deadline - just enough time for you to carry out research, capture what you want, covering logistical and emotional bases, and finally then make a choice.
Remember, feeling stuck only gets worse if you stay in a place of limbo. So, harness the power of your anxieties and fears and use them to your advantage; use whatever tools that can help you do what’s right for you.