Hello,
Starting over. We have all been there or know someone who has been there. Depending on where you are in life this can feel less like a blessing and more like a curse.
But starting over is about giving yourself a chance at real happiness. It gives you a chance to simplify your life and start working on a new project, or even tackle something that you wanted to do in the past but didn’t get the chance to work on.
Here are some of my favorite advice for starting new:
Try New Things Often
Try new foods. Check out the latest museum exhibits. Take a new class. Read books that are outside your area of expertise. And don’t be afraid to take bigger risks, such as moving across the country (or even the world!). It’s the life experiences that broaden your perspective.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Too many people believe failure is a referendum on them and they come to the conclusion that they’re not good enough. Failure is a roadmap for what not to do next time.
Start Talking to Strangers
The majority of your future successes are waiting outside your immediate network. Open yourself to new opportunities and start approaching new people. Find common ground on which to start a conversation. If there is something of interest, don’t be afraid to ask for the person’s contact information and then follow up.
Stop Trying to Always Fit In
Too often, we try to fit in with our environment because we think it will help us move forward, but the person who embraces their differences stands out. Once you identify what makes you different, concentrate on it. You don’t have to change who you are. You have to become more of who you are.
Don’t Confuse Having an Opinion with Having a Thought
Assessing a situation can get in the way of learning, and having an opinion is not the same as forming a quality thought. Thinking is the process of generating an original idea or distinction. It requires energy and attention. Instead of deciding whether or not you like the idea, ask yourself, “Where’s the power in this for me?”
Don’t Get Hung Up on Being Perfect
Growing up and even as adults we are often encouraged and pushes to be the best, rather than doing our best. Excelling sounds like a good thing, but if you use this mindset in everything you do, you’re spending a huge amount of time and energy on everything (even things that aren’t actually that important to you). Instead, identify the things that are worth “gold plating,” and then adopt a policy where good is good enough.
Start Celebrating Every Milestone
The road ahead can feel long and overwhelming. To alleviate some of the stress that can come with starting over, focus on milestones. Milestones are everywhere: the first semester, the first week of a new job, the first solo vacation, or the first client. Celebrating these smaller moments will give you the emotional energy to keep moving forward.
As you start on this new time in your life, remember that it is normal to feel worried and unsure about your next steps. Focus on the good changes you will make and the exciting adventures those changes will bring to your life, and you will quickly start to settle into your “fresh start.”
Thanks,
JSE