“You may never know what results come of your actions,but if you do nothing, there will be no results.”– Gandhi
Do you want to make a change, create something new, but feel stuck? That’s an important sign! If you’re feeling stuck, that’s a sign something needs to change. You want to move forward, however something is stopping you. That “something” is usually fear. Fear can keep you from succeeding. You might avoid taking action out of fear of what might go wrong.
But here’s what most people don’t realize: Fear is actually your friend! It protects you and keeps you safe. But too much fear is limiting.“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anais Nin
What you need to do is be able to discern helpful fear from hurtful fear and then face the fears that are holding you back. Get a Coach and discuss your concern, and co-create strategies and steps to work around or through them. Moving past this powerful energy requires support and accountability.
What’s new with you? Are you starting a new job? Did you get a promotion or take on a leadership role? Get married or break up? Just finished your last Cancer Treatment? Perhaps you wanted change, though feel stuck and now judging yourself for not taking action?
Newness equals change, and change can be scary and confronting! Even if a change might support your goals, it might be scary because it pulls you out of the comfortable groove you’ve been in – especially when that is a normal routine or rut.
New beginnings can amp up the voice in your head that says, “Wait, Hold-Up, STOP! Things are changing AND I just got used to something else!”
You might feel scared or worried—and hopefully you might feel excited too. Even if the fear or worry are tinged with excitement, there’s a stronger force. Usually, fear and worry drown out the excitement—as it deflates and often blocks your JOY!
When embarking on a change, here are a few suggestions:
- Lean in! Embrace the change, tell yourself – This is awesome! I get to create my own brand-new experience.
- Make choices. Many things in life result from a choice. They might not always be great options; however, even the worst of scenarios still presents with a choice. When experiencing something new, remember to slow down and take a pause so that you see all of your choices and choose the one that best supports your goal.
- Focus on opportunity. Every change offers you new opportunities. Come up with a list—even write it down—of the many doors this change is opening for you.
- Move through fear or worry. Acknowledge fear or worry, face it, then move through it by instead leaning into excitement.
- Stop self-judgment. You’re learning and growing here! Stop the negative self-talk. No could’ve, should’ve, would’ve — banish those toxic guilt-producing thoughts from your brain.
- Regroup if necessary. Just because you embarked on a new path doesn’t mean you have to stay on it. Check your progress and your joy. Course correct if need be.
- Be grateful. An absolute key to happiness is an attitude of gratitude. Take time during this transition to feel and express your gratitude.
- Celebrate! You can look at anything through a negative lens or a positive one. No matter the change, I always find something positive about the situation. For example, I had to throw away my favorite comfy jeans, however, now I have a cool new pair.
- Be open to an epiphany. This new beginning might be just the epiphany you’ve been looking for. Think to yourself: Wow, this is amazing! This is who I want to be!