Don’t Be Afraid to Make Some Big Changes

Let’s imagine that you have a clean bill of health and have just finished your first 5k marathon after training for the last two months - Go YOU! You’ve lost a bit of weight along the way, and have had some very meaningful experiences with your friends and family. All this and you still feel tired, as if something is just off.  

It might be time for some big changes.  

When you feel chronically overwhelmed with life and just can’t seem to come out of the funk despite all your genuine efforts, the answer may be change.  

Change what?  

• Careers 
• Houses 
• Friends 
• Focus 
• Churches 

Start small, end big- 

If the thought of making a big leap to change your lifestyle seems too scary, start small. Instead of putting your house on the market, paint a room and redecorate. See if the change is enough to improve the way you feel. If not, ask to view some local homes for sale and see if the excitement of changing addresses grows when you get a look at what’s on the market.  

Once you have made some small changes, work up to bigger ones. Instead of searching other local churches online, visit one and see how you enjoy the service. Consider trying something new for a month and evaluate how you feel afterward.  

Here’s a tip for making a C.H.A.N.G.E. 

Consider your feelings 

Have a heart-to-heart discussion of your feelings 

Analyze your thoughts 

Negotiate a new plan 

Gain new perspective 

Engage in something new  

Consider how you really feel about an area in which you want to make change. Be honest and sincere with yourself about how you feel. Forget about notions of propriety and what you think you should want. The more honest you are with yourself, the sooner you can get through this slump and start living the life you want. 

Have a heart-to-heart conversation with someone you trust to help you sort out your feelings and make sense of your thoughts. Choose someone who will listen to you without trying to solve your problems for you or take advantage of your vulnerability.  

Analyze your thoughts after expressing and sorting them out. Try to be rational and kind to yourself. Examine what you are feeling, why you might be feeling it, and honestly assess what you want to do about it.  

Negotiate a new plan. Whether with your family members, your boss, your mentor or whomever else, it is important to negotiate a new plan that is in alignment with what you want now. 

Gain some new perspective. Now that you have a new plan, see how it feels to imagine carrying out that plan. Does it feel exciting and a little bit scary at the same time? That’s a good sign. Exhilaration is an indication that you are on the right track.   

Engage in a new activity that is more in-line with who you are now, where you want to go, and what you want to become. Get involved, take action, do those things you envisioned and negotiated for, and enjoy the well-considered outcomes!  

Sometimes we simply need a big change in our life to recalibrate ourselves and get through a life slump. Don’t be afraid to take that big leap and make a radical move. Start small, ramp up, and take a giant step towards what you want.