Trust Your Track Record

First things first: You've actually got a pretty good history of making decent decisions, even if you don't give yourself credit for them. Look back on the last time you made a choice on your behalf - you followed a hunch, you deciphered the data, you made the call. Those weren't just random choices - they were you trusting your gut (and survived to tell the tale)!

Sure, not everything always works out exactly as planned, but you handled it, learned from it, and kept moving forward. That’s some solid evidence that you can trust yourself to navigate change again.

Get Crystal Clear About What You Want

Saying “I need a change” is like telling a taxi driver “Take me somewhere else”. It’s a bit too vague to be helpful.

I tell my clients to be specific about the experience they want to have. We don’t have to have the details nailed down but giving yourself the space to explore what you would like to do is a big step. Sometimes we deny ourselves even the small moments of acknowledging what we’d like to do.

Instead of “I hate my job,” try “I want work that lets me be creative and work with people.”

Instead of “I need to move,” try “I want to live somewhere with more outdoor activities and a shorter commute.”

Being specific about your experience helps turn vague restlessness into potential futures. It’s easier to spot opportunities when they pop up.

Never Stop Learning (Binging Netflix is not Learning)

It might take time to find your new job, define a new calling. In the meantime, commit to learning. Learning new stuff helps build our skills and reveal new interests. Take that class, watch that tutorial, read that book. Even if it doesn't seem immediately useful, you're building your “ready for anything” muscles and getting a better sense of what you enjoy.

Jump Before You're Ready (But Maybe Pack a Parachute)

Here's the thing about feeling “ready” - it’s usually a myth. If you wait until you feel 100% prepared, you might be waiting forever. Instead, aim for “prepared enough” and take the leap. Your future self will appreciate that you started as soon as you could.

You can start small. Get ready to be ready. Interview for a few roles you aren’t invested in. Take a trip to the new place you think would be perfect for you.

Remember, you probably will have to interview multiple times before you hit pay dirt. Start practicing now in real scenarios so you can see what lands and what needs more help.

Remember: You don't have to make all the changes at once. Baby steps are still steps forward!

Face the Fears
(They're Usually Not as Scary on Paper)

Usually fear stops us from taking any of the steps above. So, let’s be real about what’s scary. Write down what you're actually afraid of. Is it failure? Looking foolish? Losing security? Just getting it on paper makes it less overwhelming.

Then ask yourself: : “What's the actual worst that could happen?” Usually, it's not as bad as your 3 AM anxiety would have you believe. And even if things don't work out perfectly, you're resourceful enough to handle it.

Asking yourself, “What’s the cost of not taking action? If fear stops me, is there a negative outcome? What price do I pay in the future for postponing action now?”

The “Just Start” Strategy

Give yourself permission to take one tiny step toward change today. Just one. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. As we gain momentum, we build courage and confidence. Unexpected wins pop up. Things start change.

Small actions include:

• Giving yourself 10 min every morning to write about what you want in your future
• Writing down one action goal
• Sending one email about an opportunity you’ve been thinking of
• Reconnecting to one person in your network working in a space you’d like to join

The Bottom Line

Change doesn't have to be a dramatic “sell everything and move to Bali” situation (unless that's your thing! Then let me know when I can visit!). It can be a series of small, smart moves that add up to something bigger.

Remember: Future You will thank Present You for taking action now. Even if things don't work out exactly as planned, you’ll learn something valuable along the way. You won't be stuck wondering “what if?”

So go ahead, take that first step. The timing will never be perfect, but right now is pretty good. Wouldn't you rather be in the middle of an adventure than stuck in a rut?

Looking for support through change?

Let’s talk. As a coach, I open conversations so you can gain deeper insight, share tools and practices that help you see new ways to move forward into something new.