Are you at this crossroads?

FEELING STUCK CAN ACT AS A VITAL TRIGGER FOR CHANGE. “FOR ME, IT WAS THE PERFECT STORM,”

SAYS JANE MATHEWS, AUTHOR OF Midlife Manifesto. NOW

56, JANE WAS IN HER FORTIES WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED “THE HURRICANE OF DIVORCE AND THE DEATH OF MY PARENTS, JUGGLING TWO TEENAGERS AND GOING

BACK TO WORK AT 49. BUT I FELT 30 INSIDE. I NEEDED TO FIND A WAY BACK TO MYSELF.” JANE SUGGESTS FIVE SMALL CHANGES…

1 WRITE A “LIFE PLAN”

How come we all find time to write “to do” lists but not a plan for our life? Put an hour aside and think about the most important areas in your life – relationships, health, finances etc – how you would like them to be and what specific steps you can take to get there.

The first part of our lives is on automatic. Now it’s time to switch to manual.

2 CREATE A TIMELINE

Ask yourself where would you like to see yourself in five years time. Imagine the ideal, what are the key aspects that would make you feel good, bring satisfaction? Now break down what would need to happen into small steps.

3 RAMP IT UP!

And be brave. Ask more of yourself, and give yourself the confidence to know that it is within your grasp. Beginning to make small changes will build confidence... and fuel dreams!

4 HOW YOU TREAT YOURSELF IS CRUCIAL

Negative thoughts attract negative energy like iron filings to a magnet. Get the talk gremlins in check straightaway. Self-talk is the soundtrack of our lives, and it’s up to us to make it positive. Become your own cheerleader.

5 ALWAYS TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS, ALWAYS

This is so important I insisted the publisher print it on the bottom of each page in my book!