Written by: Samantha Touchais, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In case you’ve been living under a rock lately, you will know that the world kind of shut down this year. For some, it’s been a terrifying time full of uncertainty, job losses and concerns about loved ones. For others, it has been a time to self-reflect and really think long and hard about the kind of world they want to step back into once the virus restrictions are lifted.
For me, it was a mix of both. The restrictions have been hard in ways I hadn’t anticipated; Cancer diagnoses with close family members on both sides of the family. The death of a loved one. Both parents turning 80 and not being able to celebrate with them. The cancellation of a trip to my home country that had been in the making for four years. Children not seeing grandparents. The realization that I had to be super careful as I have a condition that makes me vulnerable to the Coronavirus, which led to a sudden aversion to strangers.
But as the world starts to re-open again, we all have the opportunity to think about what kind of world we want to re-enter. And that is a gift not to be wasted.
I am a business and mindset coach and I work with busy women who want a safe and secure way to launching their own business. My work involves empowering women and teaching them how to empower themselves, to make decisions that will lead to a better and more fulfilling life. Trust me when I say that no-one gets to the end of their life and says that they were happy they spent the best part of their waking hours in a dead-end job. That is definitely not something to strive for. And yet, this is exactly where so many of us find ourselves. Putting food on the table and paying the bills becomes a habit that is fed by the steady paycheck each month. Mediocrity becomes the norm, and once that happens, it is very hard to step away.
What if this time has been a blessing…
But I think this time has secretly been a blessing for many people. I do happen to be an optimist and will always find the silver lining, but life can be so fast-paced and any opportunity to slow down and re-assess is truly an opportunity to be coveted.
Have you asked yourself what kind of life you want to step back into? If you dig deep into your heart of hearts and put aside your fear for a moment, what is it that you truly desire?
Most people will not be able to answer this question straight away as it is not how we were raised. Society prizes education that leads to a ‘good’ job. An entrepreneurial spirit is often squashed in favor of security.
But I am here to tell you – even great jobs can disappear overnight. Are you holding on to the supposed security that you fear you will lose if you step out on your own? Are you afraid to change jobs because you are afraid of uncertainty?
If you truly could not fail, what would you be doing? Where would you be living? Who would you be living with? What would you do for fun?
I am not encouraging everyone to rush out and start their own business. There are many benefits to being an employee. But if you find yourself filled with dread at the thought of stepping back into your previous life, to a job that doesn’t bring you pride or satisfaction, then you need to question the choices you have made.
As 2020 slowly comes to a close, I suggest taking the time to reflect on your life to date and how you truly would like to continue. Be honest with yourself. We are about to enter a new year full of possibilities and opportunities. How do you want to leverage that?
Key Questions to ask yourself:
What dreams did I have as a young child that were not realized?
Where will my life be in one, five, and ten years if I keep doing what I’m doing?
Is this where I want to end up?
What is my purpose? What do I want to get out of life, and why? How can my job and career help me achieve that?
What will I regret at the end of my life if I don’t do it?
What would I do if I had nothing to fear?
Change can be uncomfortable. Change requires effort. But we have an extraordinary opportunity right now to create a life that we look forward to stepping back into. One that brings meaning to our days and allows us to sleep peacefully at night. Don’t remain stuck where you are not truly happy. Find support, get clear on what you want, and GO FOR IT!
You can find Samantha on her website, wellbeingseries, and LinkedIn!
Samantha Touchais, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Samantha Touchais is a Business and Mindset Coach helping women create a safe and secure path to launching their dream business by providing them with the support and tools to make it a success. She has over 20 years of marketing and strategy experience working for large international companies worldwide, and it was her love of how the mind works and how to create the right mindset for success that led her into coaching. She lives and breathes marketing and mindset and loves sharing her learnings with others. Author of four books and the creator of the Well Being Series (a collection of apps and books that provide meditations and affirmations for well-being based on the latest neuro-science), she loves exploring Europe, where she has been for the last 14 years, but misses the beaches of her native Australia.
