For the past 18 months, we have observed the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on many of our lives, but let’s look at the silver lining. One positive thing that I have observed is people have done some deep reflection and personal introspection. This deep reflection have caused so many to make positive changes in their lives. So many have re-invented themselves because the pandemic caused them to pause to think about what they really want in life.

The discussion I would like to open up is a personal one. Is it time for you to pursue a different career? That question largely depends on your finances and other current situations. Forbes reported that more than half of the American workforce is dissatisfied with their work. A Gallup Poll revealed that only 15% of the American workforce is truly engaged in their work. You may be represented in those statistics and it may be time for you to consider another career. Obviously, you will want to look at practical things such as finances if you are considering a career change. Let’s put that aside and look at some other factors.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Is your current career causing you too much stress? All jobs and careers come with their share of stress. Some careers cause more stress to certain people than others. Excessive stress can lead to serious health problems and emotional problems. Burnout is at an all time high. Burnout is a condition that comes from prolonged stress. If you are approaching burnout, then it may be time to consider a change.
• Do you feel apathetic and unmotivated? You have lost all motivation or you feel your motivation declining. As each day passes, you feel disconnected from your original reason for entering your chosen field. You have checked out and you are simply going through the motions. You are underperforming and frankly, you don’t care. The loss of motivation may be a sign that it is time to move on.
• Do you feel stagnant professionally? You are no longer growing in knowledge and skills. Your work no longer challenges you. Your work is boring, routine and mindless to you. You feel that you could do your work without even thinking about what you’re doing. Another characteristic of feeling stagnant is you dread going to work every day. You are dissatisfied with being complacent.
• Is your career affecting your personal life? It is so important to have a healthy work/life balance. All work and no play is a dull life. If your work is negatively impacting your family, relationships and pursuit of other things that you love, then you need to consider what is really important to you.
• Do you want to make a greater impact? There comes a time in life when money is no longer the top priority. In our younger years, we chase success, but as we grow in age and wisdom, we begin to chase significance. We want to make a difference in the lives of others, make an impact and build a legacy that will outlive us. Sometimes, that goal cannot be achieved in your current career and you have to move in a different direction.

You may be one, who for a long time, has constantly daydreamed about a new career. It may be time to step out of your comfort zone to pursue your dreams. You can’t be unwise about how you navigate that. You need to do some serious thinking and planning about how to go about it. Identify what you really want to do, consider your core values, assess your strengths, develop a written plan and execute it. In 2020 I left a comfortable 32 year career to pursue my professional dream. My plan called for me to launch a new consulting business. It was the best decision of my life. I love what I am doing and I find fulfillment in knowing that I am building a life-long legacy by helping others achieve their personal and professional goals.

I am a marathoner and I have found that when training for a marathon, it is important to train my mind as well as my body. Completing a marathon is 50% physical and 50% mental. Running a marathon requires mental perseverance as well as physical conditioning. During a marathon, there comes a point where you want to quit because of the exhaustion and fatigue, but the proper mindset motivates you to keep going.

Perhaps you entered 2022 exhausted and fatigued because of the challenges of the past two years. There are two ways to look at life – half-empty or half-full. The outlook and attitudes that you have about life can determine your behavior and the way that you approach life. Research studies show that optimism and pessimism can affect your physical health, emotional well-being and motivation. The right mindset will help you navigate the challenges of life.

What exactly is mindset? Your mindset is your set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. It influences how you think, feel, and behave in specific situations and life in general. Your mindset matters. If you want to change your behaviors, then you must first change your mindset. You do not always have control over your situations and challenges, but you do have control over your mind and the way you respond to your situations. A positive mindset and shifting from negative thinking to positive thinking will decrease your stress and you will become more resilient to life’s challenges.

How can you reset you mindset in 2022. Here are seven practical tips for shifting your mindset so that you approach life in a positive way.

1. Keep a sense of humor. Research shows that laughter is like medicine. Finding humor in life will help you reduce stress, manage negative thinking and adapt to the challenges of life.
2. Associate with positive people. The company that we keep determines how we feel about ourselves and life. Surrounding yourself with positive and encouraging friends will allow you to see life as half-full rather than half-empty.
3. Practice positive self-talk. We mentally talk to ourselves every minute of each day. The narrative that we tell ourselves determine how we view life. Practice giving yourself positive self-affirmations and always look at the silver lining in every situation that you face.
4. Focus on the present. Live in the moment. Often when you focus on the future, especially in the unprecedented times in which we live, we often think about what could go wrong, which leads to despair. Focus on the good things that are in your life.
5. Filter every situation. Learn to process life and how you can make the best of every situation that you face. When you filter situations, you extract the good from the bad. When we do not take the time to mentally process life, we only see the negative. By learning how to extract your thoughts, you are able to isolate the positive things about your life.
6. Practice gratitude. Each day, find two to three things that you are grateful for. Those things could be your family, relationships, opportunities and other positive aspects of your life. When you practice gratitude, you see the blessings of your life. Learn to count your blessings each day.
7. Serve others. When we serve other people – family, friends, community, church, etc., it takes the focus off of us. Negative thinking often comes when we are self-absorbed. Serving others brings purpose and fulfillment to our lives.

If your mindset needs a reset, make a habit of practicing the seven tips above. By doing so, they will change the outcome of your life. It is my hope that 2022 will be your best year ever!