Going to the next level
You have decided to make a change in your life. Whether it’s a change in where you work or the job you do, a relationship change, or some significant change in your life. But you doubt. You almost move forward, arms outstretched, but then back off.
The fact that you hesitate is a good sign. It means that the change is truly significant. You know this is serious business. So hesitation is good. Inaction is not. I know people who spend a lot of time preparing to make changes. I used to be one of those people. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t blindly go into new things. If I need to make a serious change or move to the next level, I make sure to do my homework. I look at how change will affect all aspects of my life.
By looking at the overall impact change will have on you and those around you, you will be better able to handle situations that arise. No matter how well you plan or strategize, things will come up you didn’t expect. So there are some critical questions to ask yourself.
- Will the change I’m about to make take me one step closer or one step further from my overall goals?
- What will I do if things go as planned?
- What will I do if things don’t go as planned?
- What’s the worst that could happen if I keep going?
- What has prevented me from progressing to this point?
- Have I overcome those obstacles?
There are many other questions you can ask, but you get the point. The other thing to keep in mind is that most of what is holding you back is between your ears! We find all kinds of ways to convince ourselves of what we know would be a good step forward.
No matter how logical a choice may be, if you are not emotionally invested in it, it will not happen. You also have to move on emotionally. If you are not excited about the change (and a little intimidated), the change will not take place. And if it happens, it will be reversed the first time you encounter a major obstacle on the road.
Make a commitment to change emotionally and have a well thought out plan.
“Faith is taking the first step without seeing the entire staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.