“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.”
When I saw this quote by Meister Eckhart, I knew it had to be on the first page of my book.
Because, truly, every end is also a beginning. We often know when it’s time, but we tend to forget that we have to have an end because we’re consumed with the fear of the unknown and we’re feeling a loss. We focus, understandably, on what we leave behind instead of getting excited about what might lie ahead.
No matter how much we try, we can’t seem to trust that there will be magic in a new beginning.
I get it. It’s tricky when you don’t know what the future holds for you tomorrow or next week. But I challenge you to channel that uncertainty and fear into positive energy. Know that you can do it. Trust yourself. The perfect next chapter exists, if you are only willing to look at things a little differently or to walk down a new path.
Instead of asking yourself “Why me?” ask “What’s next?” That will put you in the right mindset to be creative, to dream and design your ideal future. And if you’re asking what’s next, you’ll be nudging yourself to take action and make the changes you need to feel better about yourself.
Start with your stories, because they contribute to who you are today. Peel back the layers of your onion and get to the heart of who you really are without all the untruths and labels that have clouded your truth, sometimes for years. Identify and tear off the masks you put on to protect yourself from what others may see or think about you.
Then…
- Develop the right mindset.
- Uncover your likes and dislikes.
- Map out your journey, but be flexible along the way.
- Journal your thoughts to help you gain clarity.
- Apply your current skills in ways that add value to others, and learn new ones.
You must do these things if you’re going to dream, design, and live your next chapter. But that also means you’ll be stepping outside your comfortable, normal world into the unknown. That fear of the unknown is what stops most of us dead in our tracks. It almost stopped me.
That’s normal. But you can learn to face those fears. Push through them. Recognize your unique skills and learn new ones. Understand what you’re capable of doing. Because once you do that, you’re well on your way to living the life of your dreams by design.
With a habit and mindset of asking what’s next, you’ll get excited about following your dreams. You won’t let limiting beliefs define you and your best life.
While you’re on this journey, you’ll be looking for the message in the mess. Sometimes, the mess is the message, if you can believe that! My message was that if I had purposefully designed my next chapter, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and pushed through it a whole lot more gracefully than I did. I’m not the same person I was at 20, 30, 40, or even 50. My dreams and aspirations are different. I get that now.
So on this journey, you must also be comfortable with where you are and how you’ve evolved. Some people know what they want to do at an early age, and they go for it. I can think of a few musicians, actors, artists, and authors I would put in that category. But the vast majority of people have no clue.
Pay attention and get comfortable with “the pivot.” One or more opportunities will undoubtedly come.
You are the author of your life’s story. Your reality is the present, the right now. But your reality can be rewritten. Not only can you do it…you deserve it.
You’re one decision away from finding the magic in your new beginnings. And, if you’re ready, I want to be your guide to help you design your next and best chapter. Grab my book on Amazon or on my website and let’s get started. All I ask is that you trust yourself and the process. Together we can design your next, best chapter.
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