PULITZER PRIZE WINNING AMERICAN POET MARY OLIVER asks, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It’s a call to action that reminds us of the fleeting nature of our existence. Perhaps there are moments when events or circumstances have us rethinking, questioning, and examining the way we live and work. This can be challenging. One of the biggest barriers to reinvention are the self-limiting beliefs we carry with us, which box us in and prevent us from even trying. This produces a cycle of regret and missed opportunities. Yet I have to declare a wholehearted bias towards the possible and our innate potential for transformation. It may not be easy and may require considerable effort, some good fortune, and a shift in mindset, but here is some advice for anyone seeking a personal reinvention.
Give yourself the time to think about what fulfills you and what might be lacking in your life. To do this properly, you’ll need to dig deep to look below the surface. We can often be strangers to ourselves. Know that anger or fear of change may be at the heart of a lack of reinvention. First we need to recognize this in order to change our behavior. Taking a good hard look at ourselves is a way to discover and challenge our psychological blind spots, and this takes both time and courage.
We all have labels placed on us throughout our lives. They can be empowering but often they can be limiting and restrictive. Part of reinvention is being prepared to challenge these labels and welcome and acknowledge new versions of yourself.
To be meaningful, any reinvention will be challenging. You will be moving from a place of comfort and certainty into the unknown. Remember that new opportunities and ventures are meant to push us; in this way they offer us knowledge and experience and the chance to develop.
Don’t ignore the value of quitting. Sometimes when faced with tough decisions, people are generally very bad at knowing when to quit. And, ultimately, this is what holds us back. It takes courage to walk away from something that no longer serves you, whether it’s a job or a relationship. But quitting could eventually lead to fulfillment.
All change is challenging and involves some kind of loss; it can be difficult to take a leap and move from a steady and secure role and step into the unknown. Know that if you do make the decision to reinvent yourself, things will not necessarily run smoothly. You are likely to encounter obstacles along the way.
Reinvention is a process. You may fail. But with each failure, you have the opportunity to learn and try again.
It’s your one wild and precious life … and you owe it to yourself. Good luck!
