Change happens all the time. It can sometimes come into your life out of the blue and take you by surprise but, other times, you know it’s coming, which gives you time to prepare.
Even though change might be your choice, it can still feel scary or overwhelming and you might find yourself wondering whether you should make the change or not?
There’s no doubt that change can help us move forward in life, which is usually a good thing, after all, you don’t want your life to become stagnant where you live the same day over and over again.
We’ve put together a list of five quick questions that you can ponder over and determine if a specific situation is something you can or even want to change. These questions are designed to make you feel more in control of your life and will help you decide which situations you should definitely change and, others, which aren’t worth spending any time or effort on.
Here they are:
Will This Change Make Me Happy?
Before committing to any type of change, the first question you should ask yourself is: will this change give my life meaning? Will it be a positive change? If I make the change, will it make me feel happy?
But, to answer that question, you first have to know what it is you want from life. One way to do that is to create a vision board for your life where you include your beliefs, your core values and your dreams and big goals. If relevant, include those dreams you had for your life when you were younger.
With a vision board, you’ll have a reminder of all the things that bring joy into your life and seeing your dreams in living color in front of you each day, will help you focus your energy on what matters.
Can This Change Help Me Reach My Goals?
Start by making a list of all the realistic goals you want to achieve in life and then divide them into three categories: short-term, medium, and long-term goals.
Then decide on the goals you want to take immediate action on. Yes, this may force you to step out of your comfort zone, but if that’s what it takes to make a change for the better, then why not? It will take a positive attitude, a bit of patience, a whole lot of self-love and consistent action to move yourself forward.
Over time, your goals may change and that’s okay. It’s important to stay flexible, especially when you’re setting new goals, and ensure they are part of your values and dreams for your future self.
Focus on your progress and be proud of how much you’ve achieved and concentrate your energy on what comes next.
Is This Something I Want?
This is such an important question because we’re programmed throughout our lives to try and please other people. It can be exhausting! And, it can take up a large portion of your day wondering if this person likes your work or that person is satisfied with what you’re doing.
So, if you are going to make a change, consider others, but more importantly, make sure it’s for you and not to please other people. After all, it’s your life. No one is going to live it for you.
Will It Improve My Life?
Maybe you’re thinking about downsizing your home, applying for a different job or changing your career. Maybe it’s something smaller such as planting a vegetable garden, upgrading your security system or buying new furniture.
Whatever it is, think about all the ways it can improve the quality of your life and assess whether your life will be easier, more secure, less stressful, or a whole lot of fun.
Am I Letting Fear Hold Me Back?
Being afraid is natural, but letting fear control you isn’t. We’re all afraid of failing, of uncertainty, and what other people will think of us and whether we’re good enough. It’s normal but the people who succeed work through those fears and take the action they need to push through.
Successful people don’t let their fears take over their lives. They learn how to control the fear and face whatever it is that’s causing the butterflies in their stomachs. Then, they take a deep breath and jump right in.
Whether it’s fear of public speaking, putting yourself out there on Instagram videos, or a fear of heights, you have to gather up your courage and, if it’s right for you, go through with it, no matter what the outcome. Once you’re done, you’ll come out the other side a stronger, more experienced person.
Conclusion
Everyone goes through a wide variety of changes in their lifetime. Life doesn’t remain the same so, you can either join in and embrace all the good that change has to offer, or be left behind.
If you choose the latter, you’ll always be standing on the sidelines of life wishing things were different, always discontent, never fulfilled.
“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.”- Gail Sheehy
So, take a deep calming breath and take the plunge. Who knows? You might even enjoy the ride!
