Thinking about making a big life change, like finding a new job, switching careers, moving across the country, or retiring? It's no small task! Here’s a useful tool to get you started.

First, set aside some dedicated time, even if it’s just an hour. Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Write down your answers in a notebook or computer. This will be a great resource as you forge ahead.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1. What Big Life Change do I want to make?

Clearly indicate the change you are considering. For example, “I want to relocate,” “I want to find a new job,” “I want to change careers,” or “I want to retire.”

If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do, start with a feeling: “I want to feel more secure financially,” “I want to lead a more fulfilling life,” “I want to experience what it’s like living in a larger city,” etc.

2. Why do I want to make this change?

List all the reasons driving your desire for this change. Be honest and detailed:

“I want to move to be closer to friends or family.”

“I have always wanted to live near the ocean/mountains/lake.”

“I want to find a new job that is more fulfilling or challenging.”

“I want to make more money.”

“I don’t like my new boss.”

“I need a job near where I live.”

“I want to change to a career that gives me purpose and/or has better potential for advancement.”

“I want to retire so I can spend more time traveling, spend more time with my family, or check off things on my bucket list.”

3. When do I want to make this change?

Set a timeline for the change you want to make. For instance, “I want to find …

I am all over the place these days! I am having trouble focusing on the here and now? My brain is a bit foggy. I switch gears in the middle of doing one thing to do another. My physical well-being is on the fritz - I tested positive for COVID for the 1st time. I thought I was invincible - immune to COVID. Nope. My emotions are all over the place too. I am happy one minute and sad the next. There was a scene in a show I was watching that just did me in…I was sobbing. What the heck! Seriously!

The more my mental, physical, and emotional well-being goes astray, the more unfocused I become. I shared the fact that I tested positive for COVID with some very astute coaches. The key takeaway is that this downtime is a gift - everything I think I need to do can wait. It’s a time to be still, be aware, and watch for messages from the universe.

So that is what I’m doing. I am slowly becoming acutely aware of why I am unfocused, physically depleted, and emotionally drained.

First, I am grieving the loss of my parents - my father a few months ago and my mother six years ago. It comes out of nowhere. That’s the way grief works. My desire to talk to them is deep and profound.

Second, I am in transition. In fact, I have been in a constant state of change and transition for close to 10 months now including a relocation and a loss. I would normally be close to settled in my new life except for the fact that I plan to move again. I feel untethered, ungrounded, and exhausted…

I honestly…

What happens when you have an elderly parent who needs 24/7 care? How do you help them adjust to a life full of change and transition?

I recently moved back to my hometown after living away for four decades. I did this for many reasons; participating in the care of my 98-year-old (now 99) father was a significant factor, along with a desire to be closer to family and to live in a smaller, more affordable city.

Not only did I move home but I moved in with my father. Living with my elderly father after living on my own for most of my life required some adjustment to say the least. And of course, this was a significant change for my father as well…

What I want to highlight here are the changes that my father is experiencing and their effect…

All of a sudden, you need more care. You need to depend on your family more than ever. You were always the one who took care of them and now your independence is almost completely gone. It’s challenging, demoralizing, and frustrating. The overriding thought is that you no longer feel useful…

So how do you help your parent maintain some independence and continue to feel useful?

I am excited to share an episode of the Youest You podcast that I was so fortunate to participate in with fellow coaches Priti Chandran and Crissy Freeman. Podcast host, coach and all around fabulous human being, Julie Reisler, invited us to chat about the Life Designer Coach Academy certification program which she designed and teaches. We talked about what drew us to the program and the impact it has made on our lives and the lives of others.

One critical part of the transition process is acknowledging and giving due thought to the fact that your life looks and feels different from the one you had before. We often go from old to new and skip this step. We then wonder why we feel a bit off balance. This may sound strange but we don’t allow ourselves to grieve what once was even if we are excited about the change.

We often use the words “change” and “transition” interchangeably. Although they are related concepts, they have distinct meanings. So let’s talk about the difference between the two…

Change refers to a specific event or situation that is different than what came before it…

Transition, on the other hand, is the psychological and emotional process that one experiences in response to change…