Steps to Embrace Change and Make Big Life Decisions

Setting out on a new path or making significant life decisions can be daunting yet thrilling. Victor Saad’s journey is an illustration of how creative thinking and exercises can assist in navigating these pivotal moments.

The Journey of Victor Saad

In 2011, Victor Saad, a secondary school teacher, urged himself to pursue a career change. Initially considering an MBA for credibility and job prospects, Saad explored alternative routes. His solution was unique—every month in 2012, he shadowed a different business project that inspired him. This varied experience, from a creative studio in San Diego to a menswear company in China, equipped him with insights into diverse fields.

Art Markman, psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, advocates for curiosity as a tool for life transformation. Saad’s approach led him to launching Experience Institute, an organization guiding individuals through significant life and professional changes.

Exercises for Decision Making

Art Markman highlights exercises and questions to assist in making life decisions. They urge a person to be inquisitive. Here are a few steps derived from experiences like Saad’s:

1. Where Am I Today? Where Do I Want to Be?

Victor Saad’s “Two Lines” exercise, developed for Experience Institute, aids in crafting a road map. Create two lines on paper. Indicate your current position on the left side of the left line and your desired future on the right side of the right line. In the blank center, note your plans to bridge the gap, like finding local ceramics studios, building inventory, designing a logo, and starting sales at craft fairs.

2. Who Am I?

The “20 Statements Test” allows introspection. Originating in the 1950s, this exercise broadens your self-perception, says Markman. Write ‘Who am I?’ and list 20 descriptors—like “dog mom,” “gardener,” “community-oriented.” Re-evaluate traits that might inhibit progress. For instance, if you’re “shy” but also “reliable,” lean into your reliability to participate in social events.

3. When Can I Start?

Setting a symbolic start date for new beginnings enhances motivation. Choose holidays, personal significance dates, or breaks in your schedule as starting points, aligning with a phenomenon known as the “fresh start effect.” Reflecting on past and future perspectives is vital. Historically, Janus, the god with faces turned to past and future, embodies strategic starts.

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