At a glance
– Turning points in life are unpredictable but not unexpected. While they may throw us off track, they also offer us opportunities for change.
– By keeping a curious and open outlook towards these turning points, we can transition into them with ease and confidence.
Unpredictability, uncertainty, and change are ubiquitous. After all, they’re part of the visceral human condition. We think we know this simple truth but hardly seem to remember it when an unexpected turning point appears in our life. While we can’t escape life events, we can certainly prepare for them. We can respond to unexpected events in our lives more effectively than ever before by managing our emotions and preparing for change ahead of time. Let’s look at some of the ways this can be done. Before you move ahead, it is important to know that working with a life coach can make this process easy for you.
What makes something a turning point?
A turning point in life is a time of choice, where you have the option to choose a new direction to go. If you are like most people, you’ve seen at least some turning points, if not a lot many. You may have started college or graduated from college; married or divorced; taken a new job or changed careers; had children or lost one of your parents; moved to another city or state; retired from work. The seemingly endless list goes on and on!
Turning points are sometimes accompanied by strong emotions, making choosing hard. It’s often equated with this feeling of having arrived at a crossroads. You may be in a decision-paralysis situation where every choice is blighted by uncertainty, and change feels overwhelming. So what do you do then? You make friends with it.
Being comfortable with change
The first step to managing unexpected turning points is to accept that change is an unavoidable part of life. Change can be hard, but it’s not always negative. Sometimes change can indeed be a good thing, and sometimes it simply offers us an opportunity to learn and grow. Making difficult decisions becomes much easier if you can accept the inevitable fact that things will change no matter what path you choose.
Sometimes the best way through difficult times is by viewing them as an opportunity for growth instead of something repulsive, negative, or scary. This might sound like common sense, but there are times we need someone else reminding us that change doesn’t have to be scary—it just needs a little perspective. A life coach in Australia can help you if you need someone like that.
Not assuming the worst
If you’re like most people, your default setting is probably to overthink and worry about things that haven’t happened yet.
- What if I lose my job?
- What if I don’t get a raise?
- What if something happens to my kids?
But here’s the thing. Worry seldom brings solutions. Worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet only makes you feel powerless. Moreover, the energy it consumes is incessant. Rather than assuming the worst, focus on how you can manage your actions and reactions. If you struggle with worry, an online life coach can help you develop an awareness of your patterns and offer you some alternate perspectives to dwell on.
Knowing that you’ll be okay.
How good or bad do we look while doing something, saying something, or wearing something? It’s ludicrous how easily we trust people’s opinions of us as if they know us entirely.
If you find yourself trying to keep up and still feel like everything is falling apart, it’s probably time to show a little trust in yourself. Have faith that even if things don’t go according to plan, you’ll be okay. You have the skills and resources necessary to handle this situation—you just need to trust yourself and know that everything will work out in the end.
Taking responsibility for finding a solution
Life is intrinsically unpredictable. You can’t control everything, and that is okay. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes life throws you a curveball when you least expect it. How you react to the unexpected is the only thing you can control.
Taking responsibility for finding a solution rather than blaming yourself or others is the best way to manage unexpected turning points in your life. When we take responsibility for our actions, we become reliable for others and ourselves. Equipped to deal with the challenges that we encounter, we feel confident even in the face of an unexpected turning point in life.
Life is full of surprises and ups and downs, but it’s helpful to keep an open mind about what might transpire next. Remember, change is the only constant in life, so you can always embrace the unexpected rather than fear it. Also, even if you do face an unexpected turning point, you can always find ways to manage it-practicing positive self-talk, building trust in yourself, and not letting fear drive your decisions. By using these strategies, you can be prepared for whatever comes your way—and enjoy the ride while it lasts.
A little help can go a long way, and you don’t have to do this alone. Book a free consultation with one of our life coaches in Australia and find what you need to tackle a turning point in life with clarity and confidence.
