Tuesday Tuneup- #29
Taking a leap of faith
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Today marks one week since I kicked off a major life revamp for myself and my family. In short, I left my job, we decided to home school our four children (once again), and we’re building out a new company while traveling the country. Our goal, in very simple terms, was to craft a lifestyle we wanted to live, rather than just an income. Needless to say, the journey has been full of highs, lows, uncertainty, and excitement.
It’s been about a month since I first started to let everyone know about my plans and the feedback has been incredible. First off, thank you all for your support and encouragement. I am forever grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing support system.
Secondly, and what brings us to the theme of the week, it’s been somewhat shocking to hear the amount of people that want to do the same. Of the people I talked with directly about my new direction, probably half had something similar they wanted to do. Whether it was making a move they always wanted, starting a business, starting a family, going back to school or other deeply personal things from marriages to friendships.
A large number of people said something like this.
“I’ve been thinking for a really long time about doing X,Y,Z because I’m really unhappy with A,B,C…. and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works out for you because I might do the same”
So, for anybody out there feeling stuck, here’s my advice for working through this situation …. as I go through it myself.
1. Reflect Deeply on Why You Want a Change
Change sucks…. It’s hard and the unknown is daunting. Unless you have a deep, emotional reason for doing it, you’re not going to do it. For me, this was fairly simple.
My kids are getting older and I want to spend time with them NOW… before they get jobs, girlfriends, cars, move away, ECT. I want to be excited for those big moments in their life, instead of dreading them.
We’re all healthy NOW and I know way to many people that delayed things they wanted to do, only to have their health fail them down the road.
I want to make a larger impact than I was making. I loved helping out my team and supporting their growth. I’d like to do that on a larger scale.
2. Identify Your Core Values and Priorities
A life redirection often means going back to basics and figuring out what truly matters to you. These values will act as a compass, guiding you through uncertain times. I often refer to this as identifying your “North Star”
Ask yourself:
What are the non-negotiables in your life (family, freedom, creativity, impact)?
How do you define success and fulfillment?
What activities make you feel energized and purposeful?
This clarity will help you make decisions that align with who you are at your core, rather than simply chasing opportunities that seem attractive on the surface. They will also keep you grounded when things are a little tough.
3. Envision Your Ideal Future
Once you’ve identified the reasons for change and clarified your values, it’s time to envision what your future could look like. Visualization is a powerful tool in crafting the next phase of your life.
What does your perfect day look like?
What would make you excited to wake up every morning?
Who do you want to surround yourself with?
What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
Take time to really imagine this new chapter of your life. Write it down, make vision boards, or talk about it with a close friend. Creating a vivid picture will give you something to aim for.
4. Evaluate Your Current Skills and Experiences
Before diving into something new, assess where you stand right now. You’ve likely accumulated a wealth of skills, knowledge, and experiences that can be leveraged in a new direction. Even if the shift seems unrelated, many transferable skills—communication, leadership, creativity—can bridge the gap between the old and the new.
Which of your current skills will be most useful in the new direction?
What gaps in knowledge or ability do you need to fill?
What past experiences can give you insight into your next steps?
5. Explore the Unknown, but Stay Grounded
Part of a life redirection is stepping out of your comfort zone. This is often where growth happens, but it can also be where doubt creeps in. To ensure you don’t become overwhelmed, break down the leap into manageable steps.
Don’t get to far ahead of yourself. You can’t see the future.
Remember that you are smart and can figure a lot of stuff out.
Completely revamping yourself means lots of growing pains. Expect them and celebrate the uncomfortable.
Taking small, tangible steps will give you a taste of what’s to come without the overwhelming pressure of an all-or-nothing approach.
6. Create a Financial Plan
Life redirection often brings financial uncertainty, especially if you’re leaving behind a stable career or lifestyle like I did. To ease this transition, create a solid financial plan that can support your journey.
Do you have savings that can cushion the transition period?
What are your basic monthly expenses, and how long can you go without a steady income?
Can you downsize or reduce your lifestyle temporarily to allow for more flexibility?
How can you get money coming in the door as fast as possible to maintain a positive mindset?
Budgeting, saving, and maybe even picking up a part-time job or freelancing gig can give you the financial security to focus on your redirection without undue stress.
7. Build a Support Network
Redirecting your life can sometimes feel isolating, especially if those around you don’t understand your reasons or goals. Surround yourself with people who support your growth. The encouragement, advice, and accountability of a strong support network will be invaluable when challenges arise.
8. Cultivate Resilience and Manage Expectations
Change is rarely linear. There will be moments of uncertainty, setbacks, and self-doubt. Prepare for the highs and lows by cultivating resilience:
Set realistic timelines and milestones for yourself.
Accept that failure and missteps are part of the learning process.
Develop healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness practices, journaling, or exercise, to handle stress.
Managing your expectations and building emotional strength will help you weather the inevitable challenges that come with change.
9. Learn and Adapt
As you move toward your new life path, continuously learn and adapt. Staying flexible allows you to adjust your course when necessary. The road to redirection may reveal new insights, so be open to pivoting when needed.
As you evolve, so too should your vision. Be willing to adjust the sails as you learn more about yourself and your desired future.
10. Celebrate Progress, No Matter How Small
Finally, celebrate your wins along the way. Major life changes can take time, and it’s easy to get lost in the grind of progress without recognizing how far you’ve come. As I write this we are in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Home to Mount Rushmore and a host of other amazing sites.
