I recently interviewed someone for a book I am writing. He knew he had reached a point in his life that he wanted to sharpen his focus and sense of self. The focus was to create a happier self and a sense of accomplishment -- contributing to life and not just doing a job. He had stories to share and wisdom he had gained in his industry from which many could benefit, he felt. His company contract renewal was coming up and he was at a cross roads and he wanted to entertain what his next chapter would be all about.
We all have an inner voice that nags at us with ideas of what we wish we could do or want to try. How do you convert that voice into action?
Be sharp, focus, get clear, prioritize and put yourself first. Determine the reason you want to reinvent your life or some part of it. Is it happiness? Success? Money? A spiritual awakening? Once you create true focus around your end goal, you'll be amazed at how clear the steps forward will become.
The man I interviewed realized that taking his 20-plus years of experience and re-channeling them into a new form of communication, and even different industries, could open up new avenues and become much more fulfilling.
Although he wasn't a writer by trade or skill, he started to write a blog. He focused on the idea of a book and speaking engagements. He put together a plan of what could have seemed like crazy ideas. As he started it and put it out there to people, things started to happen that reinforced his direction and spirit. He's on the road to creating the next chapter of his life.
Don't say that you don't have time and that you're too busy to focus on a new direction. You know what they say, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person." No excuses -- be sharp, be clear, be conscious -- focus and create what you want. Find those mentors and passions, dig deep and get your focus sharpened.
I recently attended a fundraiser for the charity, Cure Duchenne, which raises money to cure a rare form of muscular dystrophy. One of my fellow board members, Don Butler, vice president of global marketing for Cadillac, received an award for the incredible support Cadillac has given to the families who have children suffering from Duchenne. He made a statement about the attitude of the company that resonates with our efforts around the charity and that really resonated with me as well: "Never leave well enough alone!"
Another quote that may inspire you in your reinvention comes from the Greek historian Thucydides (471BC - 400 BC): "The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage."
Please share your stories of reinvention in the comments, your triumphs, your challenges, how you were motivated and inspired. We can lift each other up by sharing. If you'd like to feature your story in my blog, website or the book, please let me know.
Enjoy and happy reinventing!
Follow me on:
TWITTER: kathiSR, #HappyReinventing
Facebook: Kathi Sharpe-Ross
www.StopIWantToGetOff.com to link to my Blog