There are times when we realize that we’ve fallen asleep in our comfort zone and that it’s time to move on. There are also times when life pushes us violently forward and we have no choice but to move on. So how do we do it? How do we find the strength and courage within ourselves? Here are 6 powerful exercises for getting on with life.

1 – Taking stock before moving forward

Moving forward means rolling up our sleeves. To do this, we need to take a deep breath, raise our heads and take the first step.

The problem is, taking a first step into the unknown is scary. And, more often than not, we feel lost and even helpless.

That’s why it’s important to go back to basics and move forward with the feeling that we’re taking things with us. Good things.

To do this, I invite you to take some writing implements and list at least 10 things that make you smile today or that soothe you.

For example: the fact that you have a roof over your head, that your cupboards are full of food, the fact that you have a good life partner or the fact that you enjoy your surroundings or one of your hobbies…

I invite you to take the time to make this list, because all too often, when we want to move forward, we feel like we’re starting from scratch, and that’s a pretty terrible feeling.

You’re not starting from scratch. You take certain things with you, even if some of them are just memories. Memories are better than nothing at all. What do you think?

2 – Make your compass rose to move forward

Moving forward, yes? But in which direction?

Moving forward in life is all very well, but it’s essential to choose the right direction.

So, in this sentence, there are two key words. The first is “choose”. Yes, we choose a direction for ourselves.

Even if life pushes us in one direction, we always have the choice of going or not, or at any rate, the choice of going in a certain way, i.e. in a certain state of mind.

For example: A redundancy. No matter what we do, we’ll suffer. But we can choose how we react, and then we can choose what we do next. That’s moving forward.

Finally, the second key word is “the right direction”. And this is where it gets tricky. Because it’s an expression that gets us all worked up. When it shouldn’t.

In fact, we often go too far when it comes to making choices and decisions. We think 5 or even 10 years ahead. So stop!

Think now. In the next few months, or even at the end of the year. No longer.

Because you can’t control the future, so stop wasting time trying to control it.

That’s why, when it’s time to move forward, ask yourself this question: “And if I had to make a choice for the next few months, what direction would I like to take?”

Take a sheet of paper and list at least 15 different answers. Then see which ones resonate the most. Give yourself time and at the end (after 7 days, for example), choose just one. And move on!

3 – Make the list that gives you self-confidence

Moving forward requires self-confidence. It takes courage and strength to dare to move forward in life.

The problem is, we tend to devalue ourselves on a daily basis. So what can we do?

Take a piece of writing paper and list at least 5 of your qualities and 5 of your skills. If you find it difficult to do this, ask those close to you to help you.

Then reread this list every day for a while, until you feel your self-confidence is more stable.

4 – Make a list of shadow areas to dare to move forward in life

The problem is that moving forward also means moving towards the unknown, and therefore towards things we don’t yet know.

Towards things to learn, obstacles to overcome. And that’s normal.

Moving forward means learning. Living means learning.

So, it’s time for you to accept this, to get out of the comfort zone you’ve fallen asleep in and roll up your sleeves.

Because learning isn’t something terrifying; on the contrary, it’s something invigorating. We are born to learn.

So, I invite you to take some writing utensils and jot down at least 10 things you need to learn or deepen in order to move forward.

Then, choose one of these 10 things, the one that seems most urgent or easiest to you, and start now!

5 – Find role models to motivate you to keep moving forward

Moving forward is hard. That’s true. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, and it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t do it.

To remind you of this, even to persuade you, I wholeheartedly invite you to find some role models.

In other words, find stories that resonate with you among well-known personalities, people close to you or even fictional characters.

In other words, find people who have moved forward in their lives and who inspire admiration and motivation in you.

Find these people and listen to their advice, learn about their lives, draw inspiration from their qualities and implement the same habits and routines.

So grab some writing materials and list at least 5 people who inspire you the most. And start your research now.

6 – Start a notebook of positive quotes to keep you going

Finally, there are the words that motivate. Because moving forward will require courage, but also perseverance. We’re going to face difficulties and setbacks, and we’re going to have to hang in there and bounce back.

That’s why I wholeheartedly invite you to create a notebook of positive quotes.

To do so, buy yourself a small notebook (which ideally fits in your pocket) and write down your favorite quotes. You’ll find the 80 most motivating quotes below.

I invite you to pick 5 of your favorite quotes and jot them down on a sheet of paper to get started.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How do you get out of bed? 10 positive thoughts to motivate you to get up
Discover How to get up early for your morning routine? 5 tips

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe

A witty satirical novel that exposes the excesses of Wall Street and tackles the themes of ambition, wealth and the pursuit of success in 1980s New York.
Beautifully written – I could picture everything, expressions, feelings, motivations, features and so on. I felt I understood all the characters so well.
Great book!

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself