A new approach to life piques your interest. You wish to go off the beaten track and find your own piece of paradise or treasure. Let’s check where you are at. This should give us an idea on how to answer your question.

When you make a major change, there are various stages one typically goes through. You can be on different stages for different domains (relationship, social, work, leisure, health, …). Where are you for which aspect?

  • Precontemplation: An ex-workmate of yours has started her own business. She seems very content and enthusiastic. She can’t stop talking about the benefits of this new life. She says it is the best choice she ever made and you should also consider leaving the company. Your neighbor is sailing around the world. His pictures make your mouth water. Would something like that be possible or desirable for you? Until recently, you haven’t given it much thought.
  • Contemplation: Slowly but surely you are getting fed up with your current life, the monotony of your job, hearing the same stories over and over. You are craving some fresh air. You thought the summer holiday to a far-away destination was going to recharge your batteries. Yet, after 10 days back in the rat race you felt completely depleted. This urges you to think you need to do something different. You are pretty sure it is your lifestyle/ your current job that is not right. You have considered taking the jump, but… There are too many ‘but’s. You feel ambivalent towards a big change. You are weighing the pro’s and con’s.
  • Preparation: The decision has been made. Something has got to change. You want to get out the 9 to 5. You want a new direction in life and have started with proper research into the possibilities, and how to go about effecting the change. You are preparing a radically different or a new career, starting your own business, or you are planning sustainable long-term travels. You have set yourself a goal and are busy drawing up a general plan. The plan gets more and more refined. Stop and start dates are inserted, budgets added, …
  • Action: Hooray! You are putting your plan in action. An exhilarating, energetic, driven phase. Here and there you have to sort out a few glitches and deal with the hurdles that are thrown on your path. A major life or career change is never easy and you can only plan that much ahead. Sometimes it feels like snakes and ladders (go back 5 steps) and you are sent back to the drawing board to rethink an aspect. That is all normal. Tuition fees in the school of life are paid in sweat and tears.
  • Maintenance: The hectic start-up phase has past. All crinkles are smoothed out. All is going relatively well. You feel happy and confident with the choice you made. You feel settled in your new direction in life.

In each phase, there are specific things that can support you. Your MindBooster will point these out for you and help you to set them up.

Making a change is a dynamic process. Sometimes things happen that frighten or demotivate you, and you might temporarily drop to a previous phase. Or other things jump the queue on your list of priorities and you park your ideas for a while, to resurface at a more convenient or realistic time. This is no train smash.

As you are going about a major life change, it is normal to have the occasional relapse, going back to the old behavior. For instance, you have started your own business but are not getting enough income and have to work for an employer for a few months. This is not the end of your dreams. It is a learning experience, a time to reformulate your goals and strengthen your motivation. As you work on redesigning your life you will go through a few ups and downs. Doubt is an intricate part of any changes you make. Do not let it immobilize you. Use doubt in a positive way. It helps you keep your checks and balances. Changing your life is hard work. But it is worth it!

Do remember, there is no set time for you to get results. But having a sparring partner will ensure you don’t get stuck and build the courage and motivation to get the results you want.