7 STEPS TO MAKING A U-TURN IN LIFE
IT IS INEVITABLE TO GET INTO A MESS IN LIFE.
 |
| IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE |
a. Be bold and continue walking; perhaps you would
find the way somehow.
b. Make a U-turn to a place you know is right so that
you can restart.
But one thing is sure: The wrong path will lead you to the
wrong destination. If you stay on the lost way, it’s not going to get better.
Being bold and moving faster only gets you more lost. Being bold about
something does not mean your decision is right.
There are uncountable ways to mess-up life. Things can
really get bad with family, friends, relationships as well as work environment.
It gets worse when we do not realize our error but even much worse when we know
that things are going wrong and still decide to remain unchanged. It takes
unprecedented boldness to admit to yourself that you have been wrong all this
while. Change is life and life is change. The greatest of people we know had to
change at some point. It is a fabric of life. So embrace change when it is
necessary especially when it really affects you.
BUT HOW DO WE REALIZE THAT THINGS ARE GOING WRONG?
First, you must understand that there is no one right way of
living life. Yes, this is a fundamental understanding you need to have about
life. This means that the situation you are in now is not necessarily the only
way that your particular goal can be achieved. No, it is not. There mostly is a
better way of going about things. That is why you should not fear making a
U-turn.
Further, be clear about your life goals. I deeply believe
that life has to be planned. You cannot leave life to circumstances. Design
your life the way you want to live it. Now, now: I am a Christian and my life
is restricted to every instruction in the Holy Bible and the Holy Bible
admonishes me to work out my salvation. Therefore, even then, I have to work
out my Christianity and that includes planning and setting goals to be a better
Christian. In planning, you need to set goals; short, medium and long term life
goals. The point about this is that, without goals you will not know if you are
getting better or worse.
Now ask yourself: Am I satisfied with the life that I am
living now? Am I really happy? Is something missing? Have I lost very important
relationships that deeply matters to me? Do I have peace here? Whom am I
kidding?
If you do not like these questions and perhaps you have
gotten angry with me for making you ask them, then you are a candidate of
making a U-turn.
Finally, IDENTIFY THE MISSEN PIECE AND BRACE YOURSELF TO
MAKE A U-TURN.
THE SEVEN (7) STEPS TO TURN AROUND FOR GOOD
We have to change when we are wrong. It takes humility to
want to turn from the wrong way. However, when we do turn, we will find peace.
I hope you have decided to change. Now follow these steps:
These steps are based on an interesting story that is in the
Christian Holy Bible in the Book of Luke, the chapter 15 and the verses 11 to
20. I recommend that you read it to get the full picture.
1. Come to REALITY and REALIZE.
By answering the questions above, I hope
you have already finished this step. You must realize what is wrong to know why
and how to make it right. You must fully be aware of your situation and take
full responsibility of making it right.
2. Reason Internally
You must reason deeply about your
situation. While thinking, there are two distinct voices that will resound in
your mind: the Voice of Truth made of (Voice of Responsibility, Voice of Faith,
and Voice of Change) and the Voice of Error made of (Voice of Excuses, Voice of
fear, and Voice of stubbornness). The two pitch against each other. You do not
have to choose because they fill in the inadequacy of the other. They give you
the complete picture of the situation. The important thing is for you to decide
and be dedicated to changing things.
3. Make a personal resolve. Say, “I will arise and…”
Take responsibility. If you really mean it,
you will take personal responsibility of the situation. Do not get someone to
act for you and definitely do not leave it to chance. Many times, we want to
make a choice but we want someone else to do it for us. Just stop the blame
game and take personal resolve to solve it. Say to yourself and repeat as many
times that you can “I will arise and…”
4. PLAN and REHEARSE the plan.
Make a plan of exactly what steps you are
going to take. Don’t just go and do. The rehearsal may not go as planned but it
helps you anticipate what the possibilities are. Where people are involved,
anticipate what their reactions may be and brace yourself for the impact they
may have on you. By all means, leave nothing to chance. Understand that, people
will be hurt whenever you change so factor that in your plan. Consider people
who are currently with you just as well as those whom you want to return to. If
you can, get outside views on how you can go by your decision from professional
counselors or other people who are not related to you.
5. FACE REALITY
Many people assume that immediately after
they make a U-turn, life must turn to original. Just going to say ‘sorry’ won’t
simply put you back where you want. It takes time and patience to make hearts
heal and time for people to adapt. Identify all the things that has changed
since you went wrong and face the harshness. Making a U-turn will also take a
toll on you. You might need to expend off your comfort for others, or even pay
some heavier price. Sometimes it means working your way from the bottom to the
top allover. That’s fine but you need to be prepared. Don’t just jump into it.
In stages 4 and 5, you can get professional
help. However, sometimes, even when we make the U-turn, we may not get back
what we’ve lost. Turning around is about doing the right thing and not taking
the shortcut to success.
6. Get Physical now: action time.
No matter how much you’ve thought about it,
if you don’t act on it you’d have achieved nothing. Up till now, all the
processes has been mental. At some point, you really have to act for real. Go
according to the plan you have made. Mark your successes and losses. Re-plan
where you have to. Be courageous.
7. Finish it.
Do not stop in the middle of the action
because of hurt or unmet expectations. Truly complete and really achieve the
peace that you set out to achieve. You should be able to say that ‘I have
finally made it’. There will be moments of fear and moments of uncertainty but
persevere.
Today we are facing choices. For some, it’s a U-turn in our
attitudes; for others, it’s a U-turn in our families, friends and relations;
for others too, it’s a U-turn in career.
Be encouraged to arise and indeed make a U-turn.
If you keep on going on the right path, you will arrive at
the right destination. Also, being in the right place is better than making
progress in the wrong place.
REFERENCES
a. IMAGE 1 Retrieved from http://homeless.org.za/2018/07/27/the-miracle-happened/ September 18, 2018 at 08:40:05
b. IMAGE 2 Retrieved from https://activerain.com/blogsview/845247/when-a-u-turn-is-a-good-thing/ September 18, 2018 at 08:41:01
c. IMAGE 3 Retrieved from https://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/best-of/ September 18, 2018 at 08:39:01
d. IMAGE 4 Retrieved from https://myfamilylifeinsurance.com/2017/12/18/the-madp-medicare-advantage-disenrollment-period/ September 18, 2018 at 08:42:05
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