Embrace the uncertainty of big changes by remembering key principles: understanding, anticipation, smoothness, and needing all answers.
Pinpoint specific worries during significant life transitions to gain clarity and address core stressors effectively.
Deep dives
Principles of Navigating Big Changes
When facing significant life changes, it's crucial to remember four key principles: you don't need to understand every detail immediately, you shouldn't feel obligated to anticipate every need, not everything will be smooth all the time, and you don't have to have all the answers right away. These principles serve as a grounding force to help approach the uncertainties of major transitions with more ease and self-compassion.
Identifying Change and Worries
Amidst major life transitions, it's essential to pinpoint precisely what is changing and articulate your worries regarding these changes. By specifically naming these elements, such as new responsibilities, relational shifts, or financial concerns, you gain clarity on the core issues that may be causing stress or anxiety during the transition period.
Problem-solving Approach for Big Changes
To effectively address challenges within significant life transitions, the process of 'lazy genius' can be applied. Start by selecting the most pressing concern and work through a problem-solving framework, focusing on honing in on the root cause of worry, essentializing by eliminating mental barriers, organizing thoughts to find clarity, personalizing solutions to evoke confidence, then systemizing decisions to maintain a harmonious flow in navigating the change.
Example of Problem-solving Process
A practical example in embracing change involves recognizing shifts in one's body as they age, particularly in food-related habits. By employing the principles of 'lazy genius' to honor the body's evolving needs, one can establish a mindset rooted in self-compassion, identifying personal worries, and implementing tailored solutions like engaging in favorite activities to maintain a sense of self amidst transitions, thereby easing the challenges posed by the changing dynamics of getting older.
One of the most common questions I get is how to Lazy Genius some kind of big change. A new city, job, kid, or relationship. Leaving a career, a friend group, or a religion. Losing a spouse, parent, or the connection with your kid now that they’re a teenager. The reason I’ve never done an episode like this and why it’s hard to answer questions about big changes in DMs and emails is because there’s not a simple answer.
So here’s what we’re going to do today. First, I’m going to share four principles of a big change that I want you to remember. Second, I’m going to give you two questions to help you create some understanding around your big change. And third, I’m going to give you two choices you could make after you answer those questions.
