Passion Unleashed:

Solopreneurship!

# 2 Embrace Fearless Freedom:

Navigating Change in Mid-Life

Published Date

25 November 2024

Author

Michelle Knight,
The Life Passion Coach

Category

Transition Strategies

Today, I’ll be talking about whether or not it’s time to consider a midlife reinvention. I want to go through the six signs that it might be time to make a change in your life. Change is the spice of life and changing careers can require a leap of faith. Sometimes we need to retrain or learn new things to make a change in career. Change is the result of all true learning and the only true limitation is the one you set for yourself. To find out more, you’ll have to read on.

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Bonjour mes amis et bienvenue! I am The Life Passion Coach, Michelle Knight, I’m a semi-retired solopreneur digital nomad, a passport stamp collector and an avid reader and motorcyclist. Today I want to talk to you about whether or not it’s time to consider a midlife reinvention. We’ll also go through the six signs it may be time to make a change in your life.

Maybe you are one of the many employees in the NZ government sector who find themselves out of work now or soon to be out of work. Or maybe you are wondering if working in a cubicle is what you really want anymore? Maybe you are wondering what is next for you? I would like to suggest that sometimes we need to retrain or learn new things or new perspectives to make a change in our lives or to change our career.

As someone who has changed my career multiple times over the years and tried many different types of work, some with better results than others. I can draw from my own journey to provide you with a few invaluable insights. I have experience in leaving the 9-5 cubicle to start my own business, I’ve had to retrain multiple times to start new careers and I’m still learning every day.

Changing careers can require a leap of faith, I know all about that – I’ve done it twice now, and it really was a leap, in both cases! I’ve taken that leap of faith each time – a step out of my comfort zone, away from the known and easy life and into the fear and the unknown. I’ve taken a leap of faith that things will work out the way I want them to, and if they don’t I KNOW, within myself, that I have the skills, knowledge and resources to survive whatever may happen. We all have this ability, we just need to realise it, believe it and have faith in ourselves. If you work together with me, we can work through any obstacles or challenges that may arise for you. I am here to support you and help you to reach your goals.

Sometimes we need to retrain or learn new things to make a change in career. I’ve done this twice now too. It IS scary and it can take longer than you originally thought, but it is sooo worth it at the end of the day. And before you even think it: NO! You are NOT too old to change or learn new things. Change is the spice of life and as the Greek writer Plutarch once said: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” In fact, change is the result of all true learning. The only true limitation is one you set for yourself.

So here are the Six Signs It’s Time to Start Changing Your Life:

   1. You Feel Stuck or Bored

When life feels like a repetitive loop, and you’re not excited about your daily routine or goals. Sometimes we can feel like we’re stuck in a rut; like there is no stimulation in our daily lives. You could feel like you are living groundhog day everyday. A healthy life shouldn’t be all fun and games, but if you’re bored on a daily basis or not challenged by your job anymore that’s not good. Maybe you feel like you’ve become indifferent towards success at work. This failure to step out of your comfort zone is a sign that you need to make a life change.

   2. When Your Current Life Shakes Your Physical and Mental Health

Chronic stress, lack of sleep, or neglecting self-care are taking a toll on your mental and physical well-being. For example, you might be trying your best to enjoy life, whilst also trying your best to meet your obligations, pay all your bills and do your job. Your situation may not be optimal and this can cause chronic stress.

Chronic stress can cause negative health effects on your mood, immune and digestive systems, and it can affect cardiovascular health. Stress that’s not dealt with can lead to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes. When it starts to have a bad impact on your physical or mental health it could be a sign that change is necessary.

   3. You Can’t Maintain a Work-Life Balance

You could be concentrating on one aspect of your life to the neglect of others. Usually this happens when work takes over your private life or personal time. Everyone’s life gets out of balance now and then. When this becomes a long term habit it could be a sign that something needs to change.

   4. You Start Forming Negative Habits or Your Relationships Suffer

Sometimes when we feel stuck it leads to a spiralling effect that can lead to bad behaviours for comfort or to hide from reality. 

Bad habits like excessive eating, drinking or smoking are signs that you are not handling your feelings properly. Causing self-suffering will never help you solve problems, and you need to find healthy ways to deal with your feelings. Sometimes your personal or professional connections can feel strained, often due to misalignment with your current situation. Adopting undesirable or bad habits is a sign that you need to consider living differently; changing your life. 

   5. Your Lifestyle Fails to Lead You to Your Goals

Sometimes your vision for the life you want is clear, but your current circumstances are nowhere close to it. Maybe you can’t stop thinking about pursuing a dream, hobby, or passion that’s been sitting on the back burner for a while. If you’ve got big dreams or big goals you want to achieve, but you look around your current situation and realise that something has to change to make that happen.

Sometimes we need a period of self-reflection to realise that we Do have big dreams. It’s always a good idea to figure out what your WHY is first, as that provides the motivation to get going and do something. Then set some goals and put a plan of action in place. Often you will find changes are required to get where you want to go.

   6. A Significant Life Event Can Be A Trigger for Change

Events that have led to a change in perspective such as a marriage, divorce or death of a close loved-one or a diagnosis, can trigger a need for change. Other life events such as buying a home, starting a family or moving to a new city can also trigger that change. Of course, this includes the loss of a job or role you may have had for years. Whether it’s a job, a lifestyle, or a mindset, you feel ready for a new challenge that aligns with who you’ve become.

When an event in your life triggers a change, it is important to remember that your attitude to the event that has happened can affect your attitude to the change triggered. Maybe you need to examine your attitude and reflect on how THAT affects you. I would like to suggest that you think of these events and changes as happening FOR you, not to you. I’m sure you’ve heard various mindset coaches and mentors tell you this before, and this is really a big topic for another day, I just wanted to touch on it today.

Change is about embracing challenges and believing you CAN do it. One of my favourite quotes is  “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” (Quote by Wayne Dyer). A change in perspective can help you shake off the rigidity of the fixed mindset that situations are positive or negative and you can see that they can all help you better yourself. This can lead to a Growth mindset and a view that change is inevitable and often offers pleasant surprises, learning moments, and opportunities to reach your potential. I’m going to talk more about positive mindsets in the next blog post.

A great quote by Steve Jobs sums it up nicely: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to do what you love. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, don’t settle. As with all things of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” Remember, you don’t have to go through this journey alone. There is help and support out there, and these challenging times are the times when we need support the most. If we work together, we can work through any obstacles or challenges that may arise for you. I am here to support you and help you reach your goals.

I’m still giving away FREE to you, one of my two Freedom Pursuit Checklists – either the “Nomad Nirvana: Your Starter Checklist to Freelance Freedom” or the “Side Hustle Serenity: Your Checklist to a Profit Partners Passion”. If you are interested in the details of the Freedom Pursuit Checklists, just go to my website and click on the button to fill out the form and receive the checklist you chose. Just remember, big change requires big support, and I’m here to help you through the transition from the rat race you’re running now to the passionate, fulfilled life you want for yourself.

Thank you for reading this BLOG post of the “Freedom Unleashed: Solopreneurship” Broadcast.  Believe in yourself and trust the process. Always look for new opportunities and be open to change. Enjoy the journey and make the most of it. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Take the first step, embrace the journey, and rediscover the excitement and purpose that life has to offer. Until next time, stay passionate.

I will leave you with my final thoughts:
BDK – Be Brave, Be Different and Be Kind. Remember: Laughter is the answer to everything.
Je vous remercie et je vous souhaite une bonne journée.

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