10 Things to Know Before You Change Your Life

[Dimitry]

10 Things to Know Before You Change Your Life - MSN Lifestyle - Mind, Body & Soul

Very interesting read. Talks about a person who changed her own career and profiled others who've done it. I found that it aligned very well with a lot of Steve's blogs and the views of lots of people here.

[ahimel]

I hadn't posted this one, but here's the summary for those who are interested. She writes much better than I do, so if the summary intrigues you, check out the actual article.

1. Size doesn't matter Whether you are making a big change or a little one, it will feel huge and scary to you.
2. Learn the power of letting go You can't change and remain the same.
3. Drop the Game Face It's going to be painful, frustrating and scary; it does no one any good for you to hide that.
4. Put your money where it counts Invest in yourself, not a big-screen TV.
5. Don't worry about what people think - really! Even at the midlife crisis, many people are too susceptible to peer pressure to follow their hearts.
6. Practice, practice, practice It's easier to make your change in small, easy steps than to entirely change yourself in one go.
7. God isn't in the details(Similar to Steve's ready-fire-aim approach)
8. Reinvention has a fast track Think about changing hobbies instead of changing careers
9. Singles aren't the only hereos If you're in a relationship, think of it as a support group instead of a cage.
10. Reinvention isn't a trend; it's a revolution You're not alone; there are millions and millions of people doing the same thing.

[Dimitry]

I think for a summary you did a fantastic job!

[Cron]

1. Size doesn't matter.

I call this the rearview-mirror effect. You know that little sign that reads: "Objects may be closer than they appear"? Well, reinvention is bigger -- by magnitudes -- than it may appear. That's because what matters is not how momentous the change seems to the outside world, but how it feels to you. My career makeover -- from editor to writer -- barely nudged the needle on the reinvention Richter scale, but it was an earthquake in my life. It wasn't until I started talking to people who were making massive life changes -- a baby at 50, ditching a lucrative career as a cooking celebrity to become a personal trainer, losing 90 pounds and running a marathon -- that I realized my fears and worries were the same as theirs, and every bit as legitimate, because they were just as real to me.

Amen to that warning.

Years ago, when I got out of school I wanted to pay off all of my debts as soon as possible. I continued to live like a student sending almost a full paycheck out of two to my student loan company. After two years I paid everything off.

I didn't get anything special from the loan company. I even had to call them to send me a statement in writing saying that all my debts had been retired. I got a few lame "congratulations" by email from some friends.

I guess part of me was expecting balloons to fly .

It was one of the biggest things in my life for two years. I was happy to see it come, and it is fine nobody else was excited, but still it would have been nice to feel like I shared the victory with someone.

[Jill]

Great article and timely for me as I'm in the process of reinventing my career somewhat, similiarly to the women mentioned in the article.

[Liara Covert]

Hi Everybody.

My own experience is the type of change I make doesn't matter as much as the positive impact I feel on the rest of your life and the way I perceive the world. Over the years, I've made many changes. The initial ones were scarier than the more recent ones. I try not to compare myself to other people although I like reading about how people have built inner courage. I realize that I can develop the courage to change as well. Each change gets easier because I develop self-confidence about reframe what I plan to do.

I've learned resisting change can reflect my own stubbornness. At times, I have set goals for myself and keep banging my head against the wall, taking new approaches and not improving results. At times, I've decided I'm 'beating up the wrong tree.' I have learned a fine line exists between goo dreason for determination and what may be a clue to a different purpose. Self-reflection and intuition sometimes guides me to focus energy differently.

I encourage people to invest in self-development because where you go and what you make of yourself begins inside. You have to learn to separate yourself from external judgment. Remind yourself you have good reason to learn to listen to your inner voice, even if it suggests you pursue a road nobody you know has taken. Have faith in yourself!

Best wishes!