“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”

Chinese Proverb

What change are you sitting on?

I wish I made my change five or ten years ago. I knew for a long time I wanted to get out of finance. I didn’t like where that was headed in the next ten years – stress, depression, and mid-life crisis. I had to get out, but it wasn’t that easy.

We all have excuses.

We all have responsibilities.

But we can start taking micro-steps in the new direction.

That’s what I have been trying to do. Big change is hard, but baby steps are manageable. For instance, I have started this blog, enrolled in two courses, cut back the hours on my old job.

Suddenly this significant, overwhelming change is happening. I don’t feel like my old self anymore. I am inspired and excited about the future and its possibilities.

So, when is the best time to make the change?

Popular wisdom says twenty years ago, or now.

The worst time would be waiting another five or ten years. By then, we may be so worn down that we don’t have the energy or the appetite to risk a change.

Don’t get too hard on yourself

It’s easy to get caught up thinking we should be another one, two or three steps ahead on our journey. We can beat ourselves up for lack of progress. But this doesn’t help.

Recognise the value in your journey so far. I know in my case that I have found great meaning in my struggle so far. This has become the inspiration for my purpose going forward.

Reflection

Are you ready to make a change?

What is one small thing you can start to do?

What lessons can you draw from your struggle so far? Can they become the future path?