It’s never too late to change. If you’re still breathing and your heart is pumping, you can do it.

Take a moment and ask yourself if you like how you feel.   Do you like how you feel when you wake up? (correction: after the first cup of coffee?)  Do you enjoy the work that you’re doing? How about the people you’re doing it with? Do you feel happy when you walk in to your home at night?

If something isn’t right, the first shift is acknowledging it. That probably seems simple, but it can be a formidable act. Many people will do anything to avoid looking at what isn’t working.  It can be painful, frustrating, overwhelming and potentially create unrest in your life.  Nobody likes unrest.  Especially when it affects those around you.

Although you hopefully know by now that you can’t live your life based on others expectations, it can still be a challenge to put yourself first.  But, it really is simpler and more straightforward to follow your own heart rather than someone else’s. Sure, there are concrete obligations to consider and you can consider them part of the creative brief.  You’ve thrived creatively on the limitations imposed on a problem to solve, now apply that concept to your own happiness.

After you’ve recognized the truth, it’s time to create your vision. Think big.  Don’t let your rational mind hold you back.  There’s time later to sort through it and make it realistic yet authentic, but in its infancy, have fun and break the rules.  After you’ve done that, give it some time to settle in and then percolate.

At this point it’s helpful to talk through your ideas with someone.  This is where an objective point of view can keep you focused, moving forward, pragmatic yet positive. We often get in our own way and a partner, like a coach or a trusted friend can prevent you from going down the dark road of your own mind for too long.  Once you have 3 to 4 different possibilities, its research time.  Here’s where you use your online and personal resources. Look in to things and talk to people. When you’re taking in lots of external information it can be overwhelming and confusing, but also invigorating and clarifying. Continue to believe in your ability to change.

Take care of yourself throughout this process.  Hopefully you know what that means for you.  Remember that you have choices.  There are sometimes too many and sometimes too few, but trust that the process will bring the right choice to the surface. Then believe that you have the ability to make the change. More and more in my life I’m seeing how we’re only limited by our own beliefs. Create the new belief that it’s never too late to change.