#69: Paving Your Own Path

Paving Your Own Path

Sometimes our lives shift – divorce, job changes, etc. – and we feel disoriented. In this episode Michelle outlines the 3 key elements to successfully finding your way when there’s no clear path to follow. Guess what? It’s time to embrace the unknown.

And join me in the coming weeks as I interview some incredible women and role models who share their stories of paving their own way forward.

You’ll hear about:

  • How to move forward while feeling uncertain from a change in our identity and unsure of the path ahead.
  • Several examples of identity shifts in Michelle’s own life.
  • Three things you must do in order to successfully pave your own path.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Paving Your Own Path

3 key elements to successfully finding your way when there’s no clear path to follow

When I left my career as an art director to become a health coach, I felt like my identity had changed. I had worked really hard for that art director title, and suddenly, that’s not who I was anymore. 

I didn’t know what my days were supposed to look like or how to introduce myself to new people. I didn’t know anyone else who was doing what I was doing. I didn’t have a role model. 

What do we do when there is no path to follow? When we’ve decided to live life our own way? When our identities are stripped away and our lives change?

I’m on a mission to help women pave their own paths, and help find those role models I wish I’d had. I’ve interviewed a lot of powerful women about how they got that way. As I’ve reflected on their different journeys and my own experiences, I’ve discovered three key elements that help women find their own way. 

1. Know your values

For me, my health is a top priority, and when I’ve changed jobs, started a business, and gotten divorced, that has not changed. I always make time for exercise and healthy food because it’s important to me. 

It’s what I do for myself in my own life, and it’s what I do for a living. It’s literally what guides me all day long. This is how I’m going to live my life regardless of whether or not I’m married, or have young kids, or get a new job. It’s a top priority.

Powerful women have a strong motivator, and often they’ve had to toss out conventional ways of living in order to do what’s important to them.

What’s important enough to you that it will determine your path? 

2. Surround yourself with people who get it

Even though we’re all on different paths, having company along the way is important.  

When I first started as a health coach, it was lonely. I really needed to make friends with other coaches. Now, I’ve been fostering a community of coaches for many years (and it’s over 12,000 coaches strong!). I continue to do this because I find this connection to peers so vital to our success. 

Creating communities and connecting people helps us all. Sometimes, we create connections by seeking out and hiring help. Advisors and assistants can walk this unknown path with us and serve as sounding boards so we aren’t alone.

Powerful women don’t go it alone. Cultivating community and connection is key!

3. Get comfortable not knowing

Paving your own path requires becoming okay with not knowing what’s next. Maybe you can see your very next step, but you can’t see the whole trajectory from where you are now. That’s hard.

Even if you think you have your life mapped out clearly, that certainty is an illusion. You might have planned for a white picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a paycheck every other Friday– but that doesn’t mean you’ll have that forever. Things change.

It’s comforting when you think you know what’s coming next, but in reality, life is wholly unpredictable. That’s scary, but it’s true!

Can you drop this need for certainty and embrace the unknown?

You have what you need

All you need to know is where you are today and that you’re living in line with your values. And you’re not doing it alone. You’ll get out of bed each day and see what your next step is. 

It’s time for women to have more options and role models in life. If this resonates with you and you’re excited about hearing from women who’ve paved their own paths, come follow along with me on instagram @She’sGotPower. I’ve got a slate of powerful women lined up to inspire and support you!