It may be time to think about reinvention

The world as we know it has changed drastically in the last months – in ways that we did not expect and at a pace no one foresaw. Some of those changes have brought unexpected positive benefits for many of us. And some of the changes continue to pose serious questions and even challenges to how we live now and into the future. We have seen the best in people as so often happens when we see the greatest hardships in life. We have seen people do things selflessly. We have seen so many put themselves at risk and out for no other reward than that they wanted to help.

The new normal has not arrived. We are still in flux. Lots of things are still up in the air. Some people are worried and afraid – even to the point of not wanting to leave their homes. Some are very relaxed – and perhaps too casual. Most are in the realm of being somewhere between being cautiously optimistic and uncertain. As my mother often wisely answers to many questions that are asked of her: ‘we’ll see’.

These changes in th e outer world mean the world is giving us all a chance and a nudge to change. As Darwin wisely said: ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survive, but the ones that are most adaptable to change.’

Reinvention is something we have seen popstars, businesses and many in the public eye do over the years. Many of have done it to some degree or other over the years. While it can seem a little daunting when the time comes as it has now in this opening up phase, it doesn’t have to be difficult or impossible. It is not about throwing away the old. It is about learning and taking the best from it and building on the foundations of that and replacing it with something better. It involves leveraging the old – the best of it and the learnings.

Like when cooking a dinner – 80 or even 90 percent of the ingredients may be the same. Yet, if we change one or two ingredients and the cooking process, the output is different enough to be exciting but not unmanageable to sustain or overwhelming to integrate into our lives.

Reinvention can begin with small steps. Small consistent positive change over time brings transformation. Growth is at the heart of reinvention. A growth mindset enables us to benefit in every situation – we either succeed or we learn. And either way, we are better and paving the way to be even better over time.

If you want to reinvent or redesign your life over the coming weeks, here are 5 easy steps to make and sustain positive change.

1. Complete something you have been procrastinating about. This brings confidence and motivation.

2. If you are feeling stuck, Make a list of small and big things you want to do. Break them down into small steps and take action daily. Evaluate progress weekly and monthly. Don’t beat yourself us when you don’t achieve targets. Learn, modify and repeat.

3. Start or try something new. It could be a hobby, learning a new skill or taking up a new form of exercise.

4. Talk to different people. Read different books. Reading biographies of interesting people can offer tremendous inspiration for positive change.

5. Name and understand your resistance. “Most of us have two lives: the life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands resistance.” – Steven Pressfield. In physics we learn that there is always an equal and opposite reaction. Expect it and take it as confirmation that you are on track when it shows up. Calodagh McCumiskey designs and delivers bespoke wellbeing at work programmes to grow people and companies. She also offers regular meditation classes, personal development workshops and wellbeing consultations to help people thrive 053 9140655 | info@spiritualearth.com | www.spiritualearth.com