Reinventing your future

It is true that the beginning of a new year holds plenty of opportunities to improve in all areas of life, but you can start the changes you want and the improvements you feel you need right now. Whether you want to launch a new business, switch careers, start doing good in the world, or simply get in better shape, you don’t need to wait until the New Year to start reinventing your future. The first day of the rest of your life can be right around the corner. It is a matter of making a decision and taking the actions that will lead you in that direction.

 

One of my good friends once told me that as his plans to change were so big and the aspects he wanted to modify in his life were so relevant, he was afraid of failing and consequently he decided not to even try. Unfortunately, this happens more often than one would guess. Here is something for you to consider: you don’t have to turn your life upside down to start a new business, reinvent your career or whatever move you want to do. Instead of going to an extreme makeover, you can start with small ones and little by little move forward adjusting whatever you want to do in your life. Remember … to run a full marathon you need to complete the first mile, and then the second, the third and so on. So, breaking down those big plans in small steps can transform something you would consider totally out of reach in doable and enjoyable tasks. For instance, instead of going for a ‘drastic move’ in your career, reinventing it from the inside out, you could start by learning new skills, shifting your role, changing your attitude or taking on new responsibilities. If you believe this approach would not work in your case, maybe the better for you might be something more radical, like taking a reduction in salary to better position yourself for a more satisfying or strategic role.

 

One component that will be there for most of us is the need to battling resistance, what may be really difficult when one is just starting a new project, product or business. It can stop us frozen and it seems that the more important a call or action is to our progress, the more resistance we will feel toward pursuing it. Resistance takes many forms and everyone experiences it at various times and to various degrees. Typically, the behavior or attitude that comes associated with resistance is fear, self-doubt, procrastination, distraction, shyness, perfectionism, or a combination of them, among others. Thus, stepping out of our comfort zone and exploring the unknown may bring fears of being exposed, judged or ignored, what may keep us stuck and trapped in the past. Overcoming these hurdles may be challenging and be a test on how much we really want or need to reinvent our future.

 

Here are a few steps that may be helpful throughout the reinvention process:

 

  1. Identify what you want or need to change – If you think hard enough, you’ll be able to identify the exact aspect of your life that you want or need to modify. Could be your job, your business or a bad relationship. Whatever it is, identify it and write it down. This situation is taking something from you and it is preventing you to be the person you want to be. So, write it out in full detail before moving on to the next point;

 

  1. If you could do one thing differently, what would it be? How would you do it? – Give wings to your imagination and put no limits on your potential. You can’t get to a destination if you don’t know what your destination is. So, it is impossible to reach a goal if you don’t know what your goal is. And it’s not enough to have your goals only in your head. Write them out in full detail. Remember when you were a child and you could dream of being whatever you wanted to be? Think like your younger self and apply it to your current life. The best part about reinventing your future is that you can transform anything that you want to. All it takes is commitment, a smart plan, action and determination;

 

  1. Develop a plan – Once you’ve already decided on the modifications you’d like to implement, an action plan is important. Be creative and don’t be afraid to go for it. Once again, write it out and put details. Break the impossible steps into reachable and doable ones. Then, start small from where you are and take baby steps in the right direction. Create habits, develop new or strengthen those you already have. Don’t overanalyze the past, don’t think too much about your failures, unless you’re learning from them. Do one small thing today that moves you toward one of your big goals. Reward yourself for this micro change, repeat that actions every day until they’re natural. Then, raise the bar – go faster, farther or both.

 

  1. Find a mentor – This might be one of the most effective elements for your success in this journey. Modeling somebody that has already done exactly what you want to do or using the knowledge and support of a company with this expertise is the easiest way to learn how to successfully change. If you want to start a new business, or buy an existing one, you could either read a few books on strategies and tactics, or you could study somebody or rely on a company with this competence under its belt. Finding a good mentor, or partnering with a company could make all the difference in your success rate of transformation.

 

Reinventing your future is not for the faint of heart. So, don’t expect you’ll snap your fingers and there … it’s done. It is difficult, sometimes painful, but the rewards will be truly gratifying. Stay true to yourself, start the process, adjust the route if or when required and enjoy the ride!

 

This article is for general, indicative purpose only and should not be considered investment advice. Florida Connexion is not liable for any financial loss, damage, expense or costs arising from your investment decisions based on this article.

 

At Florida Connexion our multidisciplinary business brokers can assist you in identifying the right business for you and the right buyer for your business.