Making a significant life change is something that requires planning and consideration. It can be scary, but itâs also an exciting time. Regardless of your age, life-changing adjustments must be well thought out.
Making a change can be the best thing you ever do, but it isnât something you should do on a whim. As you grow into the best version of yourself, youâll want to explore all life offers. Whether itâs a new career, a cross-country move, or any other significant change, itâs a big deal, and you shouldnât take it lightly.
Think about the benefits and consequences before making any decisions either way. You might decide to keep things as they are now, or youâll go ahead with the change. Either way, there will be pros and cons involved, so make sure you consider both situations.
Seven Essential Considerations Before Making a Significant Life Change
These essential considerations will help you decide if you should make a life change or stick to what youâve got right now. You wonât know which option is best until you think everything through, and it all depends on your situation. Work your way through the considerations, keep an open mind, and be honest with yourself.
1. Can You Achieve the Goal?
Ask yourself if you can achieve the goal associated with your life change. If you doubt yourself even a little bit, you likely wonât make it. Your thoughts guide your life, so you must be confident that you can achieve the goal before changing.
Pay attention to how you talk about the situation, too. Using words like âit would be nice…â implies that it isnât possible. With that thought, you wonât be able to make that wish come true.
However, saying things like âit is niceâ shows that you believe it is achievable. Thereâs no limit to what you can do with the right mindset, but you must believe in yourself first.
Believing in yourself isnât the only thing to consider when deciding if you can achieve a goal. You also have to think about your talents and dedication. While passion is essential, you must also have the necessary skills and be ready to do the hard work.
You might love doing something but lack the talent to make it a career. While you can develop your skill set, you also must have something that sets you apart in the field. Everyone has different strengths, so consider yours when it comes to a change.
2. Can You Test the Process?
Before making a significant life change, you must determine if itâll work long-term. Start with baby steps before you make drastic changes to see if you can sustain them. Each goal you achieve is a method of testing the process, no matter how small the step was.
When you build on the small steps youâve achieved, it shows that the change can work. Youâll need dedication to keep going, but taking small steps shows you have what it takes. If you havenât taken baby steps, you arenât ready to test the process, so making a significant change would be detrimental.
You donât want to make a change prematurely and then find it doesnât work. Itâs sometimes hard to go back once youâve shifted your path, so test it out and ensure you can succeed.
3. Is the Change Familiar Yet Original?
A well-balanced mix of familiarity and originality is necessary to find success in your plan. Sticking with something familiar will help you feel safer in the process. You donât want too much uncertainty, or youâll experience overwhelming fears and anxiety.
However, you wonât grow much from the change if it isn’t original. Youâll need originality and unfamiliarity to help lead you in a new direction. Youâll know youâve found a good balance when you experience surprises and delights.
Studies show that learning new knowledge is easier based on what you already know. A firm foundation to build your unique ideas is essential for successfully making a significant life change. The originality will stimulate your brain to grow, and the comfort of the familiar will give you confidence as you go forward.
4. Does the Life Change Align with Your Identity?
A significant change requires adapting a little, but you must stay true to who you are. Itâs exciting to explore new possibilities that have nothing to do with your identity, but they can hinder your progress. This situation is another one where balance is essential.
Your changes should align with your identity but still allow you to grow. Youâll want to step out of your comfort zone while staying true to who you are. Staying true to yourself isnât to say that you should pass over every drastically different opportunity, but you must consider how itâll affect your life.
As you consider your identity, think about the people who love you now. While they want to see you do well and find happiness, they also want you to stay true to yourself. Consider how the change will affect those closest to you because your lives are intertwined.
5. Is It Worth the Cost and Effort?
A significant life change will result in both rewards and costs. Whether the price is tangible or emotional, youâll want to consider whether the reward is worth it. If the prize doesnât seem worth it at first, see if thereâs a way you can make it all work out.
When you consider the reward compared to the cost ahead of time, you might be able to adjust. If finances are involved, youâll want to ensure you can afford the change and sustain the long-term expenses. However, if you canât afford it and continue living as you are now, youâll either need to avoid the change or decrease your costs.
If you want to switch careers, youâll have other aspects to consider, including health insurance. If your current employer offers an insurance plan, youâll want to factor in the cost of paying out of pocket before switching jobs.
Additionally, youâll want to consider the effects that a significant change can have on your family. If your change jeopardizes their healthcare, home, or overall well-being, it might not be a good idea.
6. Does the Life Change Align with Your Values?
You will never feel fulfilled if you donât stick to your value system. It might look like youâre living a good life, but you will always feel like youâre falling short. To avoid feeling this way, consider whether the change aligns with your values.
However, it might be complicated to determine if the change aligns. The things you believe in arenât always straightforward, so youâll have to contemplate this question. Even if your values arenât as socially accepted, you must follow them, or youâll feel like an imposter.
Come up with a list of things you canât accept. Then, make a list of the things you canât live without. From there, brainstorm some of your deeper values that donât immediately come to mind.
Before changing, take the time to delve within and consider every belief you have. You donât want to be taken aback later on when you realize you arenât comfortable with something.
7. What is Your Motivation?
You must figure out the reason for what you are doing before making a significant change. Think about what motivates you and why youâre doing what youâre doingâfiguring out your âwhyâ can help you make a change that will be meaningful and beneficial for your life.
If your âwhyâ is to escape a situation that weighs heavily on you emotionally, then you can weigh the pros and cons. Plus, itâll help you find a better position elsewhere because you wonât settle for another emotionally draining situation. In this instance, it might even be worth it to take a pay cut so youâll be happier.
Once youâve determined your motivation for wanting a change, you can see if itâs worthwhile. If you end up having the same experience either way, a significant difference might not be necessary. Remember that every situation has negatives.
Final Thoughts on Essential Considerations Before Making a Significant Life Change
Making a significant life change is exciting, but you must make sure itâs the right choice. You can use the above questions to consider whether to change or keep things as they are now.
Once youâve answered these questions, you will have the necessary information to make the best choice for you and your family. Donât resist change, but do your due diligence and think it through before taking drastic measures. Whatever you decide to do, make sure youâll be happy and find success.