How To Get Back On Track:

Have you ever felt like you have lost your way?  Like one day you woke up and said, "Where am I and how did I get here?" You are not alone! This feeling is often described as lost, off track, going in the wrong direction, etc and it is connected to the universal feeling of finding meaning in who we are and what we do.

For example, at one point in my life I felt like the direction my career was taking me was very off course.  I did not feeling like myself and my motivation was low due to this feeling like my time and talents could be spent better elsewhere.  But I was juxtaposed between a steady income and a relatable job title and the risks of being an entrepreneur.  So even though I knew which choice would help me to feel more "on track" in my life, that initial step in that direction was challenging.

How about you? When have you felt off track? Here are several areas in life that you may have experienced that feeling of being off track:

• Physical well-being
• Relationship(s)
• Spirituality
• Business/career
• Finances/money
• Creativity
• Recreation
• Self-care
• Personal growth

Let's explore some times that getting back on track is challenging and see what kind of solutions may help.

How to get back on track: when life is out of balance........

The feeling of being on a teeter totter and not being able to experience any equilibrium is a challenge to say the least! Often that out of balance feeling comes on the heels of a rather major life change.  Some examples of such changes are:

• A change in career
• A change in finances
• A change in relationship/partnership
• A change in health

Keep in mind that even if you were to experience one of these changes and it was for the best, the change itself can leave you feeling off kilter.  Let's take a look at how these life changes can effect your sense of direction and ultimately your sense of being off track.

How to get back on track after a change in career

A change in career, even if it is exciting, may have you feeling less confident or like a beginner again since some part of the career change is new to you.  Whether it is a new team to work with, different hours to adjust to, new information to digest and implement or an entirely different role (ie going from being and employee to being an entrepreneur, or from being a mid-level manager to a senior level leader), it is never the less a change to your life in many ways.

Here are a few tips to help the adjustment to a change in career that will have you feeling back on track:

1. Stick to some part of your usual routine for a sense of stability
2. For example, keep your usual bedtime and wake up times in tact
3. Or continue with your usual workouts during this change
4. Don't mess with that Sunday call to your best friend, keep that as a standing date for now
5. Give yourself some space and grace to adjust to the changes
6. Adopt a growth mindset as you step into this new situation, learning is healthy!
7. Create some space for yourself, perhaps time to journal or walk to help process
8. And watch your words and expectations!  Go easy on yourself.  Give yourself some grace.
9. Connect the dots to how this change is going to enhance your future
10. Make a list of the skills that you will be acquiring with this career change
11. Write about why this change can enrich your future
12. Connect the dots between the two and recognize that you are making progress

How to get back on track after a change in finances

If your finances have had a hit, perhaps it is the after Christmas wake up call,  moving expenses or an unexpected bill, you can get back on track by:

1. Taking a look at where your money goes each month
2. You can track expenses in general
3. You can track expenses by category
4. You can see which categories might be adjusted for the time being
5. Set a goal for your financial picture one year from now
6. Work backwards from that goal to see how you could feasibly make changes each month
7. Keep that goal in sight as a reminder of where you want to be one year from now
8. Put some accountability into place to keep you on track

How to get back on track after a change in relationship

When it comes to changes in relationships, there are two types; personal and professional.  Personal relationships are our close circle which includes partners/spouses, children, parents/grandparents and friends.  Any change to the dynamic of these relationships can make us feel off track.

Professional relationships are the people that we work with, directly or indirectly, such as bosses, managers, co-workers, leaders, colleagues, associates, and networks.  One shift in this interplay of people can create a ripple effect that is felt by all.

So if you are feeling off track due to a change in relationship, here are a few ideas to get your feet under you:

1. Find someone to talk to about the shift. 
2. A neutral professional can be a great choice depending on the situation
3. A trusted friend or family member that is not directly involved
4. If it is work situation, there may be opportunity to suggest a consultant or mediator if appropriate
5. Take time for yourself to process.
6. It is normal to feel unsteady after a change in relationship
7. Acknowledge who you are at the core
8. Lean into your strengths as you move forward

How to get back on track after a change in health

Let's face it, our health is our greatest asset, and if it is out of balance, we feel it in all ways. In order to get back on track after a change in health, it is important to keep the following things in mind:

1. Focus on what is working in your life
2. When something can be so all consuming as health can be, it is vital to notice what IS working well
3. Play on your strengths
4. Surround yourself with people that add to your feeling of well-being
5. Create a practice or a habit that gives you a feeling of well-being
6. Try meditation
7. Try visualization
8. Write about how you want your future to unfold
9. Shift your surroundings to shift your outlook
10. Decluttering can be a helpful way to recharge and rejuvenate
11. Take a drive or a mini vacation
12. Lead some sort of activity, you will feel more empowered

So, if these prompts helped, great!  And if you are still wondering, how to get back on track for your own unique situation, here are a couple of more tips........

How to get back on track: when you feel overwhelmed.....

OK, so maybe it isn't just one area of life that has you feeling off kilter, maybe it is just a feeling of overwhelm.  If that is the case, see if these suggestions add a sense of relief or inspiration:

Is the overwhelm related to a feeling of lack, scarcity or limits?

We can easily feel overwhelmed when we feel that our resources are running out or are limited.  The most common are:

• Feeling limitations or scarcity about money
• Feeling limitations or scarcity about energy
• Feeling limitations or scarcity about time
• 
  

Feeling into our limits sends us straight to a fixed mindset which tells us that nothing will change.  The opposite and therefore the antidote is to work towards a growth mindset, in which the feeling of abundance and thriving are what drives the thoughts, feelings and actions.  Carol Dweck has a book called, Mindset, the New Psychology of Success which could be a resource worth checking out.

How to get back on track: when you feel lost......

If you are feeling lost, you may be entering a time in life where your values, priorities and goals have shifted.  If that is the case, it will be well worth the time to check in with what is now leading your life and lighting your path.  Values set our priorities which means that as they change or shift in ranking, you will notice that your goals change accordingly. Order of operations matters here, so begin with:

1. Values
2. Priorities
3. Goals

This will set you up for success and allow you to feel your path under your feet once again!

7 steps to get back on track

1. Notice what has changed recently.  Is there a catalyst that created this off track feeling?
2. Acknowledge what you have control over. Work on what is yours.
3. Make a list of the opportunities available to you now
4. Create a new goal that is in alignment with your current values and priorities
5. Plan the small steps to get you started in that direction
6. Recognize how this is part of your path
7. Celebrate your successes along the way

And now let's recap how to get back on track!

Summary

Feeling off track sometimes is totally natural! Life is dynamic and as changes occur you may feel off kilter.  When and if you do, start with noticing what is going on.  In other words, become aware.  Then get curious, as if you are an observer in the situation.  Curiosity serves you well.  Judgement does not.  The next step to getting yourself back on track is to engage your creative thinking skills.  Brainstorm what is possible for you now.  Become solution oriented.  So the next time that you feel that you are off track, try these steps to get grounded in your values, priorities and goals.