There was a point in my life – like many of us have – where I was in a job I was uncomfortable in and depressed about. I was very focused on: “Is this what I want? Where do I go to from here?” and the answers seemed bleak. Looking back, I see that it was actually a very good job, I was good at it and, looking back, I liked it more than I thought I did. At the time, though, I was worried that I was going to be there forever. My perspective was that I was “stuck” there and that I wasn’t making the most of what I could build for myself.
Ten years later, I still look forward wondering “Where do I go to from here” but the perspective of possibilities is completely different – it is an open landscape of interesting options – and it makes me realize some things I missed back then when I thought I was “stuck.”
First – perspective. Possibilities are all about perspective. What you decide to do depends almost wholly on how you view your standing and your options. It can be incredibly hard to step out of your one perspective and see your world from other viewpoints that may serve you better, but it can also be the best thing you can do for yourself.
Second – No matter where you are, you can get there from here. “Stuck” is a feeling, not a place. It’s a fear, not a truth. You don’t have to back up; you just have to hack around a little more to find the road you want. The path might be a little less smooth than you would like, transitions a little more challenging and abrupt… but no matter where you are, you have other places you can go from here. You just have to figure out where that is.
Third – The “hard road” is worthy of your time and energy. The hard road may be the road less traveled – because it is, indeed, the hard road. People generally move along the path of least resistance. All the more reason to take on the challenges of greater resistance. It can be difficult to see that hard road as an option specifically because it isn’t traveled much, so you have to think beyond the obvious in order to even find the path; you may even have to carve it yourself. All the better. You can claim it as your own, make it up as you go along and end up in some amazing places!
Fourth – There is always hope. In a lot of ways, this goes back to #2. When you feel stuck, the world can be a dark place and it’s easy to get lost in that downward spiral. At the time, I was new to Boston and didn’t know a lot of people so it was easy to feel isolated and alone. I fought back with some extracurricular activities that introduced me to new people (motorcycling!) and my whole world changed.
Fifth – Change is coming. It always is. It can be easy to feel like something is going to last forever and that what you have is all that you’ll ever have, but that’s simply not true. New opportunities are always floating by; If you know what you are looking for, you’ll be more apt to see the one you want and grab hold when the time is right.
What is especially cool (in my opinion and bag o’ tricks) is that I now have a quick way to move through the above line of thought. I find that it applies to work, life, play, online marketing…. Many, many things.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing:
- Whether it is right or wrong for you is about perspective so make sure you see it clearly.
- If you aren’t in the right place for you, you can get there from wherever you are.
- There’s probably going to be a learning curve, but it’s worth it.
- Yes, you can. (You’ve gotten this far. You can get there too.)
- And you’ll probably have to make more changes again in the future.
