Change happens! Fact

Change happens - we grow older, we move, people evolve, circumstance and the world around us develops and moves in a different direction to us at times.

Many people stay too long in lost careers, relationships, jobs, so may areas of their lives - you name it, people hang on and hang on doing the same thing hoping something will change yet their status quo stays the same! They never change direction either because they don't realize that it's time to change or they resist the change that's needed, preferring to stay with what is familiar and ‘safe’ (when in many situations it is anything but safe to stay where they are!).

I know if I listen to my instinct, my body and my heart I get a sense of when it's time to make positive changes - sometimes I just acknowledge that feeling and don’t act and other times I proactively make that change happen for myself. Does this happen to you? Or do you get those ‘feels’ and ignore them? I know that if I don't acknowledge and action or otherwise it can eat away at me and sometimes manifest itself in bad health or worse, making wrong choices that effect all areas of my life.

I’m all about ‘course correcting’ at any stage in life or even within a business or life decision - just because you started in one direction doesn’t mean you have to stay on that trajectory - you can change direction. (You are not a failure if you have given up - in my view you are braver and more courageous for changing direction and seeing that things need to change)

That ‘course correction’ might be a major change – in your health, finances, career, relationships, what you do, how you do it. OR, it might be a minor change, e.g. a small adjustment in the way you're approaching something.

What signs should you look for that may be telling you it is time to ‘course correct’ -

1. Are you doing the same thing time and time again even though it’s getting harder and you’re forcing it?

Do you feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall? Are you getting more and more frustrated with your efforts? You feel you’re doing everything you can yet nothing happens?

It’s time to STOP. It’s time to take a step back and look at what you’re doing as if you are outside looking in. Assess what you’re doing. It could be time to scrap what you do and re- invent the wheel or it might be that you're just going about things the wrong way and some new ideas or reflection are needed to re- align yourself with the job in hand.

2. Ever felt like ‘why me?’ And things seem to be falling apart around you?

There is a theory that this could be a sign that you need to make a change. Sometimes things need to fall apart so that you can create something new.

Some say that coincidence plays a part - you know when you want a red car and all you seem to see are red cars! Or recurring themes come up in your life time and time again.

I see this when businesses shut up shop because they ‘know’ they are meant to be offering something else. Recognising this ‘higher’ calling isn’t easy to do neither is the change!

Of course we should also be aware of confirmation bias when we believe something all we ever find to confirm it is what we want to see and hear! It’s hard to remain curious when you feel so strongly about something but remain curious will help open you up to greater thinking

3. What is your normal?

Many people find that feeling crap and unhealthy or unappreciated and down trodden at work is their ‘normal’ - this shouldn’t be the case for anyone!

If you feel crap look at ways to find your inner peace or happiness.

Trying to escape your woes is only an excuse not to tackle them.

A Life Coach I follow (Brooke Castillo) calls it ‘buffering’ meaning you find solitude or comfort – e.g. going on holiday, drinking, drugs, social media, TV, spending... instead of tackling your issue.

If this is the case, be conscious not to judge yourself or get down about it. We all go through times in life where this happens. You're not alone. But it really is time to stand back and evaluate these ‘escape practices’ (they may be creating other dramas in your life too!)

4. Your health and well- being

Sometimes issues may not show up clearly to the outside world like stress, fear, anxiety, worry, upset, tension, self doubt and unhappiness but they WILL eventually show up in your BODY.

Your body will start to give you warning signs that something isn't right. You may start to notice things “going wrong” in your body.

Stand back and question… “What is my body trying to helpfully tell me?”

It could well be that something “random” happening in your body, while seemingly unrelated to your thoughts/feelings and seemingly unrelated to some situation in your life.

Aches, pains, sleeping issues, stomach issues, weight gain/loss - listen I’m not a medical person and I would never offer any medical advice but I know this from my own experience.

Perhaps your body is just reacting as it tries to cope. 

Don’t wait - act.

Be willing to listen - take note of how you feel - mentally and physically.

These are some points that I note in my life and that I know show up in others’ lives when change needs to take place.

I encourage you to start taking notice of your body and mind. Are you living on auto pilot? Try and get a look at your life from another perspective.

Take some time and reflect on if any of these signs show up in your life.

If they do, in what areas of your life do they show up in? - work, family, finances, health...

Ask yourself if a big or small change is needed to get you back on course?

Can you ‘tweek’ what you already do to get you a better outcome?

What could you start, stop and continue doing today that could help?

You know I’m all about taking small steps as long as you take a step. Please don’t get overwhelmed with your situation, Chunk it down into small prices and start by taking ACTION - any action is better than none.

Much love, Dawn