The Ultimate Guide To Reinventing Yourself
Are you bored or dissatisfied with your current circumstances? Do you feel blocked or stuck? Maybe you are closing a chapter in your life and are wondering what next. Maybe you have experienced an awakening and are unsure of how to proceed. Or, perhaps your life has changed and you are faced with a new uncharted path. Whatever it may be, if you are responding to a need for change, this article is for you.
What Does It Mean To Reinvent Yourself?
To reinvent yourself is to change parts of yourself that you do not like or that are no longer serving you. It is responding to the natural need and yearning for change in certain areas of your life by exploring new versions and parts of yourself that you haven’t met yet. This process is characterized by growth which can be pursued and achieved in small, shaky steps or in huge leaps, and bounds.
There isn’t a specific way for self-reinvention to occur; no right or wrong way to do it. It doesn’t respect age, gender, or any other defining circumstance, and is simply related to your reason for being and the journey that you are on. I like to think of it as reminding yourself all the ways in which you already are who you want to be.
Why Is Reinventing Yourself Important?
It provides you with an atmosphere for growth and a platform to build up the best version of yourself. This ultimately leads to a fulfilled and happier life.
It allows you to explore who you are in different circumstances. Discovering different things about yourself can be exciting as well as fulfilling.
It helps you realize what truly matters to you in this life.
It makes you flexible and adaptable to a world that is constantly changing, in a practical way.
It builds your sense of purpose which boosts your positivity and lust for life.
It encourages constant learning. No matter how old or experienced you may be, education never ends. There will always be something new to learn.
Steps To Reinventing Yourself.
Making a change is not always easy. It often appears too demanding and daunting, which is why most of us are stuck in our comfort zones. The good news is that reinventing yourself is a process and as such, does not always have to be drastic and sudden. It can be done slowly and carefully, taking one step at a time. We can reinvent ourselves in the same way companies 'reinvent' phones and cars, simply by adding updates and accessories to an already functional system to better and improve its abilities.
Recognizing the need for change is the first step toward transforming your life. However, to achieve tangible results, you need to follow a series of small concrete steps. Here are a few that you can follow to ignite the spark in you that is begging for a change.
Seek self-awareness.
Figure out who you are. You need to know where you currently are in life, what roles you play, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how you got to where you are. Assess your current position in comparison to where you want to go, in the same manner an artist looks at his art questioning which way to shape it, or how companies review their performance periodically to assess their growth and impact in comparison to their vision and goals.
Find clarity and direction.
Define your core values. These are the things that matter most to you e.g. family, freedom, career, health. These provide a foundation for your decisions, actions, and behaviors. Find the exact habits that will lead you to your values and design a working plan with small, clear, and realistic goals.
Discard your ego.
Ego and pride have no place in a beginner - which is what you are, every time you embark on something new. You need to remember that no matter what you think you know, you are beginning from zero. Allow yourself the space to make mistakes and adopt a willingness to look stupid. This is not about perfection.
Visualize and build belief.
Take time to create a detailed vision of the life you want. Write down what it looks and feels like. Create a vision board with images to help you visualize further. Look at the board and written vision regularly. Build the belief in your ability to achieve everything you want because this will give birth to the feelings and actions necessary to give you what you desire.
Build courage through action.
Playing it safe will not get you to your goal. You will need to take risks and step outside your comfort zone. The only way to build courage against the fear and anxiety that accompanies change is to face it, through action. The more you do, the more you learn to trust yourself, which builds courage. Try that new sport that you’ve been thinking about, apply for your dream job, hike up a mountain, and be aggressive about your goals…you never know!
Stay curious.
Use whatever resources you have to learn anything and everything you can. Be spongy, soak up the knowledge you find. Waste none of it. Then ask for more.
Stay disciplined, patient, and consistent.
Reinvention is constant, day in and day out. Change needs to be repeated without a break until it does not require conscious effort. This calls for dedication whether you feel like it or not, whether the results are showing or not, and despite the number of hours you think you’ve invested.
Have a strong support system.
Reinvention is not easy and you shouldn't have to do it alone. Having a strong support system improves your chances of success. Be careful to trust the right people - those who can offer encouragement, guidance, positivity, and constructive criticism. Not everyone will be happy for you or thrilled about your quest. Be wise.
Reflection.
Along the way, take the time to face yourself and ask the tough questions. Do it often. This helps you maintain consciousness in your thoughts and choices, and nudges you towards taking responsibility for your actions. It keeps you on track.
Celebrate your wins.
Reinvention is a long-term process. To achieve long-term success, we need to achieve small goals that build up. It is important to celebrate the small wins as they come. It helps to keep you positive and motivated.
Reinvention is an art. It is not an overnight solution. It requires deliberate action, resilience, and honesty. It is never a completely smooth journey and you are guaranteed to come across some resistance and rough times. However, with the right tools and attitude, you can pick up habits along the way that can carry you right through even the roughest of patches.