3 ways to get clear on the changes you want to make

A number of my recent clients have wanted to make a change at work or at home - they have been looking for a new direction, a sense of purpose in their lives. For some people, there is a feeling that something is missing; for others, it’s about finding out what’s important to them.

Recognising that something needs to change can be an important first step, even if you're not yet sure what to do next. We can get very comfortable in our lives even if we are not happy with our lot. Sometimes we reach a point where enough is enough and begin to consider the changes we want to make.

Wanting to make a change is a good start, but there are a few things that can help move the situation along. It can be useful to start with our inner thoughts and self-limiting beliefs.

Our beliefs about what is possible can influence the choices we consider and the actions we're willing to take. If your first thought is ‘I can't do that’, it can be useful to question whether that's a fact or an assumption.

Here are a few simple ideas to help you start exploring what you want and how you might move towards it.

1. Set a few simple goals

Setting a few simple goals can make a difference when working towards what you want. Having an end point in mind can give you something clearer to work towards.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want to achieve?
• Where do I want to go?
• What would be a realistic timeframe?
• What is one step I could take towards it?

By concentrating on relevant activities, you may find it easier to avoid distractions and focus your attention on what matters.

Most of us would not set out on a journey without knowing where we are going and how we are going to get there. It’s the same in life: having a goal, something that we want to achieve, and working out how we are going to move towards it can make a difference.

2. Develop a vision board

Reinforce your goals with a visual presentation of what you want to achieve. Get creative with your goals and pull them together in a visual board or scrapbook to help keep them in mind.

A vision board is a board on which you place images or words that represent your goals, interests or things you would like to explore. You could use your own photographs, magazines or other images you have permission to use.

A vision board can act as a visual reminder of the things you're considering or working towards. This, together with your written goals and your journal, can help you focus on what you want to give your attention and effort to.

3. Keep a journal

This can be a file on your computer, on your phone or a written journal - use whatever suits you best.

Writing things down can give you space to explore what you're thinking and feeling and may help you see the situation more clearly.

Perhaps you could start to form a few simple steps to help your situation and focus on your goal. This works for both your home and work life.

So, if you have a problem at work - perhaps you don’t feel as motivated as you used to, or you want to change your job but don’t know where to start - keeping a journal may help you gain a greater understanding of your situation and what you might like to do about the issues facing you.

It can also help you to reflect on your situation, make some sense of what is happening and clarify your thoughts about what you want.

Used together, these three approaches can help you clarify what you want, keep it visible and identify practical steps you could take towards it.

If you know something needs to change but you're not sure where to begin, which of these three approaches could you try first?