Acknowledging Your Inner Desire

If thoughts of pursuing a different path keep surfacing, it often indicates a lack of fulfillment in your current situation. Recognizing this desire is crucial to initiating change.

Be truthful with yourself about your need for something different. Articulating your feelings can help solidify their reality. Before making any decisions, take the time to clearly define what you want to change in your life. For me, that meant stepping away from the conventional model of a full-time managerial role to embrace a part-time schedule that allowed me more family time.

Crafting Your Desired Outcome

Creating a detailed plan can help translate your desire into tangible actions.

I envisioned maintaining my management responsibilities while working part-time. This meant being in the office from Monday to Thursday and taking Fridays off to spend with my children. I also planned for a day during the week to demonstrate how my team could function in my absence, which required careful scenario planning and adjusting meeting schedules.

This was a novel approach for my department, and it was vital to show that I had thoroughly considered this shift.

Discussing Your Intentions with Trusted Individuals

Engaging in conversations about your plans can yield multiple benefits.

First, it holds you accountable for following through with your intentions. Secondly, it offers fresh perspectives that may raise questions you hadn’t thought of. Initially, the thought of transitioning to part-time work felt daunting. What if management rejected my request? Would I be perceived as less committed?

Fortunately, I had a supportive manager who reviewed my ideas and provided valuable insights before I presented them to our Director. It’s wise to consult one or two trusted individuals to gather their perspectives before proceeding.

Taking Action to Make Change

Your hesitation will persist until you take decisive action.

In the spirit of Nike’s motto, “Just do it.” If your goal involves workplace changes, engage with decision-makers to present your plan. If it’s a personal transformation, start establishing a new routine. Change doesn’t materialize from mere discussions; it requires action.

Assessing the Outcomes of Your Changes

As with many aspects of life, change doesn’t always guarantee increased happiness.

You can’t fully appreciate the impact of a shift until you experience it. After a few months, reflect on whether the changes have positively influenced your life. If not, adjust your course accordingly. For me, the additional day off was precisely what I needed during that phase. I cherished the time spent with my two-year-old and newborn, feeling as though I gained precious moments otherwise lost to work.

Ultimately, I found joy in not allowing hesitation to dictate my life choices. By voicing my desires and adjusting my path as a working mother, I embraced happiness and minimized the risk of regret.

Instead of letting hesitation linger, confront it directly. Understand your aspirations, devise a plan, share it with trusted confidants, and then act upon it.

Thank you for taking the time to read and engage with my articles. Your support is truly appreciated.