I shared a post on Instagram a few weeks ago with some steps to take when making a change, and since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I shared, and realised that I’ve only just scratched the surface.

Mustering up the courage, motivation or initiative to make a change in any situation is one of the most important skills we can develop, and so, I wanted to dedicate a blog to this topic as it’s something I’ve gone through on various occasions.

Whether it’s work, travel, relationships or even personal endeavours, my process has always been the same, however, up until recent times, I had just never noticed the pattern.

To kick things off, let’s take a look at what I shared on Instagram, as I’m very keen to explore this a little deeper as I know it’s got the potential to help others that may not be aware.

3 helpful steps to making a change

#1 Start with the “why”

This is arguably the most important step when it comes to inciting and sticking to any type of change.

The “why” is the reason behind wanting to change something. It can be the reason why the current situation isn’t working out, the reason why the future situation would be a better fit or it can be the reason why our values and purpose aren’t aligned.

Let’s use an example of someone wanting to start a side hustle. The “why” should serve as the foundation for their actions and decisions as it gives context and significance to their endeavours. Once the “why” has been established, all decisions they make when it comes to that side hustle should ultimately be connected to it. Whether they’re looking to start a side hustle to earn some extra income, help others or solve a problem, the driving force behind their “why” will act as a beacon as well as a compass, guiding them along this unfamiliar path and providing reassurance and direction when confronted with negative thoughts and uncertainties.

Overall, understanding our “why” provides a strong foundation for change by connecting our actions to our values, aspirations, and desired outcomes. It also adds depth and meaning to our decisions, which makes the change process more intentional and fulfilling.

#2 Set clear goals

If we think of the “why” as our compass, then it can be helpful to think of setting clear goals as the stepping stones along the way.

With any type of change, no matter how big or small, it can be very easy to become lost and overwhelmed if no sense of progress has been made. In addition to this, setting clear goals and breaking them down into small, achievable steps can make something that appears as a big scary change to in fact be something within reach and not scary at all.

An example of this can be applied to someone wanting to switch their career or to work for another company. This is a pretty big decision, and if not planned accordingly, can also involve a lot of risk and uncertainties. Someone wanting to switch careers might look at their end goal as being too far away, and so, they’ll naturally have thoughts of doubt or uncertainty.

And it makes complete sense.

If the only goal in mind is to make it to the finish line, then for most people, this would be quite overwhelming. As humans, we’re driven by progress. It makes us feel alive and productive, and this is something we thrive off. By setting smaller (and achievable) goals between the current state and the future desired state, we’re able to break down the change into approachable and bite-sized pieces. Every small milestone we reach will instantly reassure us that we’re headed in the right direction.

When it comes to switching careers, the small steps could involve gaining new skills through various courses or workshops, networking with professionals in the desired field, updating your resume, starting an internship to see if it’s something you really want to do, and seeking informational interviews.

All of these small but important steps will eventually convert themselves into accomplishments. And it’s these accomplishments that will not only provide a sense of achievement but also serve as building blocks toward the larger goal. They remind us that progress is being made, even when the ultimate destination might still seem distant.

#3 Embrace resilience

Just like any other situation in life, making a change will also experience its own inherent setbacks and potential failures. Depending on how we view and handle these challenges will ultimately dictate how the rest of the change process will play out.

It’s impossible to plan for every potential obstacle that will come our way, however, there are ways to help soften their arrival. And a lot of this comes together through a combination of the first two points: start with the “why”, and, set clear goals.

As long as our “why” compass is working, and our milestones have been laid out, then navigating certain challenges will seem far more achievable and less disruptive than approaching them unprepared. Things might not go the way we had originally planned (and chances are they won’t initially), but that’s the beautiful part about growing and learning when to pivot.

An example of embracing resilience might be for someone wanting to move to and live in another country. They know exactly why they want the change, as well as the steps they’ll take to get there. However, when arriving at their goal/destination they might come across some unfamiliar feelings of uncertainty about the change, as well as other challenges when trying to settle in. Therefore, adapting their approach as they go will be fundamental to not giving up.

And this might mean making some adjustments to the milestones which is completely fine. Knowing when to pivot, or when to stay the course, is a skill that will help us through all aspects of life.

In summary, when it comes to making any type of change in our lives (regardless of the context), the preparation and execution of it will always share the same basic foundations. Whether you’re aware of it or not, making the concerted effort to view change as a decision and action that is being fuelled by our “why” and consists of a series of stepping stones with certain challenges and setbacks along the way, will help to make the process much more pleasant and achievable.