In 2021, I made one of the hardest decisions of my career in leaving the comfort of my academic job. It was a position I loved with students who inspired me and colleagues who had become close friends. It had been a place of tremendous growth, but deep down I knew it was time to move on.
The pandemic forced many of us to pause and reflect. It revealed how quickly time passes and how easily we can get stuck in routines that no longer align with what we truly want. I realized that if I wanted to pursue my ideal life, I had to step into uncertainty and embrace the unknown.
I am certainly not alone. There are many who are rethinking work these days. With the increases in remote work from the pandemic, the workforce, organizations, and business leaders are rethinking and reimaging how we do business in the future.
Across different industries and professions, people are reevaluating their careers. The rise of remote work has given many a glimpse of greater flexibility, but it has also blurred the lines between work and personal life. Burnout is increasing, and more people than ever are searching for a way forward.
The problem? Change is hard. Particularly when it means walking away from stability. So how do you know when to make the leap? Furthermore, how do you do it successfully?
In my own professional journey, I discovered a simple framework that helped me reset my life and move me closer to my own vision. I call it “The Reset Blueprint”. A three-step process to “Terminate, Transition and Transform” to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Step 1: Terminate – Clear the Path Forward
Before we can build something new, we must first let go of what no longer serves us. This can be hard! Especially when it involves walking away from something good in pursuit of something great.
Many of us spend 2,400 minutes per week at work, some even more. Time is our most precious resource, and how we use it shapes the life we create.
If a job, habit or a certain relationship is no longer adding value in your life, then it may be time to let it go. Although letting go feels like loss, it creates space for something better.
Step 2: Transition – Build Your Bridge
Once you know what you want, the next step is creating a plan to get there. Given the financial implications, it is unrealistic for many of us to quit a job overnight. You must transition wisely.
Ask yourself two key questions:
1. What skills do I need to build to get where I want to go?
2. Who do I need to connect with to help along the way?
In my case, this meant leaning on my professional network while continuing my clinical work to create a bridge to my next opportunity.
I also believe in throwing relationship boomerangs. These are investments you make in fostering authentic connections with people that may return in unexpected ways.
One of those boomerangs came back to me in the form of an opportunity to help launch an online degree program at another university.
Was I lucky? Maybe. But was I prepared? Absolutely.
Preparation is key to navigating transitions successfully. Even if your steps are small initially, you should aim to build the right skills, nurture meaningful relationships, and take strategic steps forward.
Step 3: Transform – Step into Your Next Chapter
You must actively invest in your growth and not sit around just waiting for things to happen. The final step of The Reset Blueprint is about transformation. This consists of leaning into new opportunities, embracing challenges, and continuously evolving.
When you approach transformation with an open mind, you’ll find that new opportunities arise in unexpected places. Enjoy the process and be present in this season of your life.
It’s Time to Hit Reset
Today, I am one step closer to my vision. I’ve launched Impacting Education, an online platform designed to empower others through learning and personal development.
I also have a job that allows me to serve students, patients, and my profession that gives me the flexibility to build my future on my terms.
You don’t have to stay stuck. The choice to hit reset is yours. Take the leap and build the life you want. Your next chapter is waiting!
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
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References
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Bridges, W. (2019). Transitions: Making sense of life’s changes (4th ed.). Da Capo Lifelong Books.
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Grant, A. (2021). Think again: The power of knowing what you don’t know. Viking.
Ibarra, H. (2004). Working identity: Unconventional strategies for reinventing your career. Harvard Business Review Press.
Pressfield, S. (2011). Turning pro: Tap your inner power and create your life’s work. Black Irish Entertainment.
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Tugade, M. M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). Resilient individuals use positive emotions to bounce back from negative emotional experiences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(2), 320–333. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.86.2.320
Shaun Lynch is the founder of Impacting Education, an online personal development company dedicated to empowering individuals to lead lives of purpose, fulfillment, and impact. Dr. Lynch combines his expertise in healthcare and education to inspire positive, lasting change through his writing and teaching.
Dr. Lynch, thank you so much for so selflessly sharing some great personal career insights as you clearly and eloquently explained in this great article.