The Case for Reinvention

There are people who know from the get-go where their path lies and what they want to do.

Mozart is one extreme and beautiful example of a person whose destiny was laid out early in his life. At an age when most kids are playing with blocks or drawing in coloring books, Mozart was performing before European royalty.

Few of us are blessed with the kind of spectacular genius that was given to Mozart.

I saw a well-known actor on a late night TV show the other night. The actor told the talk show host about performing in a high school production. From that point on, he

had found his path and knew exactly what he wanted to do. He’s not the only one. Many successful actors talk about how early in life, they knew what they wanted to do. It’s the same with many musicians. They knew at an early age that they wanted a life in music.

There are other people who come from families with a history in medicine or law enforcement or education. A lot of cops and firemen follow in the footsteps of their fathers, older brothers or uncles.

It’s pretty common for doctors to have a parent or another family member with  the letters MD after their name.

One thing a lot of these people have in common is that they never had to worry about reinventing themselves, at least professionally. 

Many folks pick a profession or a way of making a living and they stay with it, and that’s great.

But some people find themselves in a place where they need to change. Maybe it’s just a little tweak here and there or maybe it’s a complete overhaul.

When you take your car to the shop and the mechanic lifts the hood, sometimes it’s just the belts that need to be tightened. Other times the engine needs a complete overhaul. Then you have to decide what to do.

You might be working at a job you’ve come to dislike or maybe even loathe. If the pain isn’t too bad, maybe all you need to do is switch jobs. If you're tired of the whole profession you’re in, maybe it’s time for an overhaul.

People reinvent themselves all the time, in various ways. We all know people who have reinvented their bodies. We see their “Before and After” photos all the time.

Someone gets tired of being overweight or out of shape and they take the necessary steps to change.

We all know the remedy for being out of shape: eat right, exercise regularly, and get a good night’s sleep and voila! In a few months the change can be drastic and life-changing for the better.

Still, the thought of reinventing yourself can be a bit frightening.

Even when we’re in a totally frustrating environment, we look for ways to stick it out, because change is hard.  We try to find bits of satisfaction in the bad-fit job situation where we can. That’s kind of sad, though.

Aren’t we owed more than that? We owe it to ourselves to be fulfilled in as many aspects of our life as we can - don't we? If we keep trudging along with the same old same-old, all we’re doing is treading water, and for what?

As we slog through the days at a job that doesn't grow our flame, what are we waiting for? Are we waiting for that mystical, magical ship to sail in and save us?

Sometimes circumstances force us to reinvent ourselves. If you’re set adrift by a company that you thought would keep you forever, you might be forced to reinvent yourself and re-brand yourself so that other employers can see your value.  

If you’ve been married and comfortable then find yourself suddenly divorced, life is going to be all about change.

Nothing lasts forever, but instead of lamenting the changes, we can view them as learning experiences. We can learn to embrace the moment we're experiencing now, because that moment is all we’re assured, anyway.

Our bodies change, people around us change and so does the environment around us. We can drive the changes, or resist them. Which choice will teach us more, and give us more satisfaction?

Reinvention doesn’t mean you have to change religions or forget your core values. It may mean shedding some old skin -- old thoughts, habits and beliefs -- that weigh you down.

If you decide you want or need a new career, it can be challenging but also exciting. When you’re in a tough spot sometimes the only way to get through it is to realize you need to take a fresh, out-of-the-box look at it -- and to keep breathing!

Is your engine running at its best? If it is, congratulations to you! Your plan is working - stay with it.

Maybe you're somewhat frustrated, and  just need a tune-up.

If so, you probably know what to do. Now is a great time to put your 2016 plan together and start taking steps to bring it into reality!

Maybe you need more. Take a look at your job, and ask yourself the honest question "Does this job bring out the best in me?"

Sometimes it's obvious that your job isn't the right place for you. You may lie in bed thinking “ I can’t bear this. This is not who I am.”

Maybe it’s Friday night and you’re standing in line in the grocery store with a diet drink in one hand and a carton of eggs in another and it hits you like a ton of bricks.

    “I need to change everything about my life.”

The universe will tell you when it’s time to reinvent yourself - to create a new you. Ask yourself the following questions: Do I feel fulfilled? What, if anything am I clinging to from the past, and why?

What if everything I have been told and taught about what makes a good career is wrong? What if I've made major life decisions based on bad information, or mistaken beliefs?

If you’re happy with who and where you are, good on you!  If you feel that a major change would do you good, reinventing yourself and becoming who you have the potential to be might be the perfect step for you.

It’s okay to feel damaged - who doesn't? All of us have experienced bumps and shakes. Take that first step to being lighter and free, by making a positive change for yourself.

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