So, it looks like you're stuck in a rut. Are you bored, even miserable, with your current life, going through the motions day after day or tolerating bad behavior from others just because it’s what you know? You can't be happy like this! And, it’s OK to want happiness!
There's an exciting world out there with a lot to offer. Deep down you know you want to get out and take a big bite of it. Sure, it may be a bit overwhelming, and even scary at times, but you can't let your life just pass you by.
It's time to live those dreams, take a leap of faith, and get out of your comfort zone! But how do you get started? Here are some suggestions:
1. Decide what you want. Identify how you want your life to be. If you could do anything without fear, money, or time being an issue, what would you choose? For me, I first identified what was happening in my life that I didn’t want – stressful work relationships, living far away from family – and then thought about besides not wanting those things, what did I want – a flexible work schedule on my terms, positive relationships and living close to multiple family members.
Make a list of everything you would like to have (material or lifestyle) and that you would like to accomplish someday. It doesn't matter how crazy or outrageous you may think it is, just write it down. It doesn't matter if your list has three or thirty-three things listed. Just search your heart and your mind and write down what you would really like to do.
2. Faith. It's important to have faith to see your journey until the end. Remember how it feels to be stuck where you are with no excitement and no real purpose. You know things can be better than they are now, but how? Faith is one of my core principles and, for me, is my belief in God as a Christian. God reminds me that He created me, and He doesn’t create junk!
Believe in yourself and that you were put on this earth to thrive. Know that you are worth living your best life and that living your best life is achievable. Even if you don’t yet know how, believe you can achieve it.
3. Seek wisdom and support. Whether you have specific goals or just know you don’t want to stay where you currently are in life, trusted loved ones and professionals like life coaches and therapists can help you discern your choices, support and encourage you along the way, lift you up when you stumble and celebrate with you when you achieve milestones.
I am starting to live the life I want today because I talked with family and trusted friends about what I wanted. In addition to confirming some of my decisions, they offered ideas on ways to achieve what I was seeking. They also lovingly challenged some of my decisions which made me really think through the details and assumptions I was making. Through it all, they provide me support and encouragement.
I also hired a life coach who helped me solidify my way forward. I knew what I didn’t want, and I knew the lifestyle I wanted, but I needed help identifying the type of work and work environment that would allow me to achieve that lifestyle and in identifying the bridge from my situation at the time to what I wanted.
4. Take the first step. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” You don’t need to know every exact step from now to achieving your goal before taking your first step. Just take that first leap of faith! No matter how frightened you may be, focus on the pot of gold at the end of that rainbow. Muster up all the encouragement and support you can find and just do it. Once the first step is accomplished, it gets easier!
You deserve to be the best that you can possibly be, and deep down inside you know this. You'll be so glad you took action - and you'll be so proud of yourself when you celebrate at the finish line! No one enjoys being in a rut and just going through the motions of life. Don't let your fears hold you back. After all, this is a wonderful world that you deserve to enjoy to the fullest!
Learn more about my story of taking a leap of faith from the known to the unknown to pursue the life I wanted and join other like-minded people searching for inspiration in getting out of their ruts and pursuing their best lives in my Facebook community.