Don't Know What's Next? Structure Time!

Image Credit: Renjith Krishnan

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Do you have structure?


Structure in your life allows you to function comfortably within a framework.  It guides you day to day, and gives you piece of mind when peering into the future.  Structure brings clarity; you know where you stand and have a starting point for examining all of your options.  

Sometimes though, we lose some of that structure and feel lost.  This can happen for a variety of reasons, mainly stemming from change.  As a soon to be college graduate I am facing a situation in which nearly all of the structure I have known is rapidly dissolving.  Up until this point in my life the educational system has provided my "to do list," and "map."  I have decided to forgo the route of graduate school, and so with the toss of a cap I will be tossed into a sea of change.  Gone are the days in which I have guide posts and out of bounds markers laid out for me.  The structure I have known will be gone, and I will have to respond somehow.

If you find yourself in a similar position, in which you face change, and uncertainty, rest assured because I have some helpful solutions that I've been using.  

So how will the structure once again be established?  You could wait and it probably would naturally occur, but a more active approach gives you control immediately.

The solution is to take action and build a 20 mile high skyscraper!  That is a metaphor, of course.

Focus on yourself

Taking time to understand yourself is imperative.  Stare at yourself in the mirror for five or ten minutes without any distraction.  I do this sometimes just because I like what I see.  Seriously though, think about who you are.  Who have you been up to this point in your life?  Who do you want to be from this point on?  

Do

This is pretty simple.  The worst thing that you can possibly do when facing a loss of structure is sitting around thinking, and worrying about it.  Stay occupied with whatever interests you.  Personally, I like to workout and run.  This can be a hobby, sport, activity, or just hanging out with friends; it is something that makes you happy.   

Commit to something

Start consistently doing something productive.  This could be working a job.  It could be searching for a job.  It could be an entrepreneurial venture.  It could be learning something new, or contributing to a cause.  This commitment should be something that will allow you to set goals, and work toward something more.  There should always be a reason behind your commitment.  

Structure through anti-structure

Stay flexible.  Create just enough structure to be confident in your direction; too much may be constrictive, not allowing for any growth.  When opportunities arise you need to be ready to pursue them.  Even when you find yourself content, change can occur in an instant, so being mentally prepared is vital.  


Well, I'm ready to conquer the world.  


Are you?