Have I done the right thing?
I’ve been thinking recently how change of any sort can throw up lots of different thoughts and feelings such as “have I done the right thing”, “what happens if X, Y or Z doesn’t materialise”, “what’s the future going to be like” and the list goes on. All natural feelings in times of change, but not great if you find yourself conjuring up all kinds of unhelpful thoughts that either completely put a dampener on the excitement to be got from making changes – or alternatively completely paralyse you from even starting to make any changes in the first place.
Here’s 3 things to tell yourself whenever you’re facing change in your life.
1 Nothing is chipped in stone
You can always change your mind whenever you want. Feeling like it’s a one time only decision, or that everything has to be perfect, is often the biggest cause of procrastination and not taking action. Instead, give yourself permission to say, “on balance, this feels right so I’m going to do it, appreciating I can never know 100% per cent if it will work out, but I can always change my mind if it doesn’t”.
2 Change is exciting
Since the nervous feelings you get in the pit of your stomach that accompany change often feel the same whether you’re feeling fearful or excited, simply decide to be excited. You’d be surprised how this small shift can make all the difference!
3 I’m curious how this will work out
View change with curiosity rather than something to be avoided. Start saying “yes” more to new things and experiences. Get out of your comfort zone as much as possible, make a list of all the things you’d like to change by the end of the year, and then start first with the one that makes you feel most nervous, and then the next, and the next. As the old saying goes you never regret the things you don’t do, only those that you wish you had.