Step Five: Taking Action – Let’s Do This Together

Taking action can be the most challenging part of our reinvention journey. Many of my reinventions were triggered by a life event that forced me to reinvent and reinvent myself to survive. When you find yourself widowed, out of a job, or dealing with addiction, a reinvention is forced upon you. There have also been times when I realized my life wasn’t headed in the direction I wanted, and I had to make adjustments.

Let’s face it, we will try things to reinvent ourselves that just don’t work out. There is no shame in stopping one thing and trying another. It’s healthy. If you don’t like pottery, then stop. Try something else.

I’m sure you’ve been there, too, right? You’ve made the plans and got the goals all lined up, but now it’s time to take those steps. And it’s hard. I get it. We can plan all day long, but nothing changes until we start doing something.

So, here we are at Step Five: Take Action. This is where things get real.

Why Taking Action Matters

I know from experience that the only way to see change is to do something about it. It’s like when I decided to start this whole reinvention journey myself. You can dream about your ideal life, but it wasn’t until I took that first small step of action that things began to shift.

Maybe you’re feeling a bit stuck right now. That’s okay. What matters is that you don’t stay stuck. Even a small step can lead to significant changes over time. (Trust me, I’ve been there. The most minor actions can make a huge difference.)

Make It Daily

Here’s a little secret: it’s not about taking massive daily leaps. It’s about showing up consistently in small ways. When I started, I committed to doing one thing each day that moved me closer to my goals. Some days, it was just ten minutes of writing or research. Other days, it was a little more. But every day, I did something.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Just decide to do one thing today that moves you forward. Then do another tomorrow. (If you miss a day, it’s not the end of the world—pick it back up the next day.)

Reflect and Adjust

Taking action isn’t just about moving forward. It’s also about checking in with yourself along the way. How’s it going? What’s working for you, and what’s not? I like to take a few minutes each week to think about my progress. Sometimes, I realize I need to adjust my plan a bit—and that’s okay. (In fact, it’s necessary.)

Maybe you’re finding that your original plan isn’t quite working out. That’s perfectly normal. Permit yourself to change things up. You’re in charge here, after all. If something isn’t helping you move forward, it’s okay to let it go and try something different.

It’s Your Journey

The best part about this journey is that it’s yours. You get to decide how it goes. If you’re a morning person, maybe you start your day with a small action toward your goal. If evenings are better for you, that works too. (I’m a fan of whatever fits into your life without adding too much stress.)

Remember, there’s no “right” way to do this. There’s only your way. So, take a deep breath and do what feels right for you.

Stay Committed, But Be Kind to Yourself

Staying committed to taking action every day can be challenging, especially when life gets busy. But I want you to remember that it’s about progress, not perfection. Some days will be easier than others. Some days, you’ll hit it out of the park. On other days, getting out of bed might feel like an achievement. There are some days, I just want to crawl back into bed. I rarely do, but when I do, I refuse to feel guilt.

Be kind to yourself on those tougher days. What matters is that you keep going. (Even if that means just thinking about your goals while sipping your morning coffee, that also counts.)

We’re In This Together

Taking action is where the magic happens. It’s where you start to see the fruits of your labor, little by little. And you’re not alone in this. I’m here with you, taking it one step at a time, just like you.

So, let’s make a pact, you and me. Let’s take one small action today. Just one. And then another tomorrow. And the day after that. Before you know it, those small steps will add up to something big.

You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.