How to Turn Your Life Around

When life gets on top of you and you are confronted with what seems like insurmountable problems, turning your life around may seem like an impossible dream ... but kickstarting that process is far easier than you may think.

In this podcast, Bill explores the use of one of what he calls 'The personal power levers' available to all of us, in helping to initiate the process of turning one's life around.

Transcript

HOW TO TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND

If you're at all like me, you’re sceptical of anything that promises a huge gain with little to no pain.

The world we live in is a haven for marketers peddling snake oil that promises an on-demand solution for just about anything, be it quick wealth, overnight weight-loss, an instant new romantic relationship, a week-end qualification, a miracle cure, a whizz-bang investment, and so on, and so on.

Glitzy websites, promoting offers that seem too good to be true abound. And, frankly, they abound only because so many of us have succumbed to the concept of instant gratification and swallowed the ‘quick-fix’ pill.

Here we go again

So, if you read the title of this post and thought, “Here we go again,” I don’t blame you.

But those who know me will appreciate that I have more of an old school approach to life; one that acknowledges that significant and meaningful change requires a certain investment of time and commitment.

Personal power levers

That said, there are actions or approaches that can be taken that can result in authentic positive benefits far greater than the effort required to initiate them.

I like to call these ‘personal power levers’. We use them very successfully in life coaching.

In a rut?

Perhaps your life has lost its excitement or meaning. Maybe it feels like you have stagnated or you are in a rut. Or perhaps it seems like your life is heading in a direction you feel unhappy with?

If so, and you’re looking for help to turn your life around, I’d like to introduce you to a personal power lever that can have a dramatic and near-instant effect in kickstarting the process.

The perspective shift

I call it the ‘perspective shift’.

We humans are, by nature, intelligent, ingenious, creative, innovative creatures. We are imbued with a natural instinct to grow, develop and evolve - call it the ‘evolution imperative’ if you like.

When we employ these natural gifts in a constructive way, we feel truly alive and vibrant. Our abilities continue to grow, develop, and become ever more refined. The sense of purpose we gain feeds the level of inner contentment we experience.

Growing … Or dying?

But when circumstances conspire to deprive us of – or restrict – our ability to use our creative talents, we temporarily stop growing.

In life coaching, we have a saying …

If you’re not growing you’re dying.

Now, that may sound a little harsh, but reference the cycle of nature and you’ll appreciate why we say this.

Survival mode

When the human body and psyche detect a situation of no growth, they enter into survival mode, ‘protecting’ us from further ‘harm’ by slowly shutting down our desire to do anything bold or adventurous.

Vicious cycle

A vicious cycle ensues as our creative flames are gradually snuffed out. Our lives slowly become predictable and repetitive and we become mired in a lifestyle characterised by ‘safe’, yet boring routines.

In survival mode, we are persuaded that there is no safe way forward other than to stick closely with what we are accustomed to. The idea of ‘doing something different’ starts to seem problematic, irresponsible, and perhaps even dangerous.

Easy way out

You’ll be pleased to know, there is a relatively easy way out.

When I say ‘easy’ I warn you that it does require just a little bravery, or at least the mental fortitude to overcome the inbuilt natural resistance and ‘risk’ a small change in approach.

By ‘small change in approach’ I mean a perspective shift.

Reactivating the creative mind

A perspective shift requires an interruption to the routine that has enslaved us. This interruption serves to prime a reactivation of the creative mind and its keen awareness of opportunity.

If we consistently fail to take the interruptive action required, the universe may take over and force upon us what is often a very uncomfortable jolt needed to shift our perspective.

Of course, it’s far preferable to initiate this perspective shift on our own terms. Doing so usually requires minimal effort and can bring rich rewards.

Exercise, reconnecting with nature, taking a different mode of transport – or route – to work, visiting an old friend after a long time, taking an unplanned day’s leave, travelling to a special place, foregoing the addictions of social media for a day …

These are just a few of the many actions that can give the creative mind a little time and space to work its magic and come up with a refreshing new perspective on the same old problem or situation that is weighing you down.

Not problems, opportunities!

In life coaching we understand and appreciate that all ‘problems’ are really just opportunities in disguise – albeit sometimes heavy disguise!

Sustained personal growth results from taking a constructive and creative response to the challenges that new opportunities present. Such growth is suspended when you lose the ability to see challenges as anything other than insurmountable problems.

Turn your life around

But even then, all is not lost.

You simply need to bring about a change to the viewpoint, or perspective, that you apply to the challenges you face. 

In doing so, you will kickstart an amazing process that will help you …

… turn your life around!