All of us on this earth are living in a time of great traumatic change with massive paradigm shifts. The economy, jobs, education , society and our environment have all shifted, and our ability to live what we used to consider normal no longer exists. As much as many of you don’t like change, it can be very good.

Sometimes it forces us to reevaluate our priorities and how we have been living and working. Change can also open our eyes to see what we were not aware of previously, and sometimes doors will open that were once closed. Maybe a relationship has become stale or what once was a dream job is now boring. Change also brings about feelings of fear, anxiety and for some even a sense of surrender because we realize so much is out of our control. It is this sense of control that affects so many and yet we have never really had control of many things in our lives even pre-pandemic.

With all the change in the recent year we are learning how to live and work in a new way even as we are returning to a new normal. And as bad, lost or stuck you may feel, please know that your life can be better than ever before. It is all a matter of perspective and the choices you make.

No matter what your life looks like, living in the midst of a perfect storm can be the optimum time to examine what is working well for you and what is not. Then you will be better able to make the changes and design your life so you can live your dreams and experience more of what you want.

To start answer these questions (writing the answers will allow you to fully process what you are thinking and feeling):

  • Have you been living a life that is meaningful and fulfilling? Describe what is meaningful and fulfilling and what is not?
  • Are you making the kind of impact you desire at home and at work? What impact do you want to make?
  • What is satisfying to you and are you doing it?
  • Are you living to your potential? What does this mean to you?
  • What do you want more of and less of?
  • What do you want to experience before you reach the end of your days?

Very few people take the time to really address the purpose and meaning of their life and it is answering questions like above that help to get to the core of what will make you happy and feel fulfilled. It is easy to get caught up in our routines and the other busyness of life. Some of it is understandable like sleep, work, and taking care of family. If you want a big payoff then you need to take the steps that will lead you to your destination.

The successful people that you admire answer these or similar questions, and then develop and execute a plan to achieve what they most want. This is a best practice. I know it works as this process has helped hundreds if not thousands of my clients in working with me individually, in classes or as part of a team I facilitate.

You can design and live your life as you choose. Feel it and know it as this is true. It won’t be perfect as nothing is perfect, but it can be a great life that works perfectly for you.

What you were doing in the past may not be what is best for you moving into the future. A builder needs to start with a solid foundation to design and construct a great building.  To live a great life, you need to start with your foundation, what makes you who you are along with what you have done and accomplished. Then you can start designing and making decisions based on your criteria and how you want live and work.

I have coached so many clients over the years who told me that getting laid off from their job was a gift as it forced them to finally look at their life and determine what was working well and what they wanted to change.  They just were not able to take the time or find the courage to break free from unsatisfactory jobs and the steady income. It took getting laid off, which pushed them to address what they truly wanted in their career and life. Almost everyone regretted not doing this earlier.

Even if you are working and need the income and benefits, you can make a plan and execute when appropriate to find that new job, do a pivot, or start your dream business. And on a personal level maybe it is time to make a change in one or more of your relationships or start to get healthier and fit.  Knowing is the first step. Then you can dream and visualize, and do your research. Once you determine the changes you want, then you can plan,  design and execute. As all great designers know, along the way, their are often tweaks that need to made. This will always be true of your own life and career. Very little works exactly to plan, but with changes you make along the way, it can sure be pretty darn good.

If you are not ready to make big changes then start small. What is most important is that you be true to your self. Deep down the answers are within you. From that place you can do amazing things.

Now May Be the Best Time to Revitalize Your Life & Work