Special offer

What's a turning point?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance
Animated Gif Animated Gifs | http://www.gifluv.com/

You may be at a point in your life where there are major changes happening, some may be positive and some may feel stressful.(Don't I know it) Perhaps you feel as though you are on a merry-go-round waiting for it to stop so you can get off and start fresh.

This moment, this twirl, this decision is what is called a turning point.  It is that moment where we choose to take stock of our life and take action to change directions. A turning point isn't a "lane change", it is a complete turn that takes you in a new direction.

So how do you know if that is what's going on in your life?  How do you know if it is a true turning point?  At different times we all have events and circumstances that impact our lives in a whole new way. Some feel small while others feel monumental, but each is an opportunity to take stock of your life and decide if you are willing to make the necessary choices that will allow you to change direction.

The active decision to change your course is the key. What you do in that moment will make all the difference.  Things will happen which lead you there, but the action you take to move in a new direction is what it's all about.

So what actually put you on the wheel that has you looking for a new direction?

Typically 1 of 3 things occurs:

  • An event happens that rocks your world and you aren't willing to go back to your old way of life.
  • You develop a plan.  Maybe you decide to follow a dream.  You chose to change your life and develop action steps you can implement to take you to your goal.
  • You are in a place where you feel uncomfortable, stressed, or confused and things that worked before    don't seem to work anymore.  The status quo of your life, business or career is no longer alright with you.

Once one of these things happens, you have an amazing opportunity before you. You can chose to make it a turning point ... or you can choose to continue on with life as you know it. Some people choose to continue living their lives in the way they are accustomed to, they don't want their life to change. 

They will incorporate the new circumstances into their existing life and ignore any uncomfortable feelings. If this sounds like you, you are not creating a turning point. Others choose to shift their mindset and take steps in a new direction. 

They may feel scared, uncomfortable, excited, or all of these.  But in spite of how they feel, or because of it, they decide to make a significant change in their life. These people are choosing to make this moment a turning point. 

So if you are at a turning point, now what? What do you do?  Where do you start? 

The key to moving through any turning point is to choose where you want to go, and then to be willing to take the action steps that will take you there. Large or small, just keep doing things that move you in the right direction.

Posted by

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Mona-I guess that is where that term hindsight is 20/20 came from.

Judith-Thank you. You have a great evening too

Kristin-Right you are and I am experiencing another one. Lindsey is doing OK.

Dave-That we do

Gary-Thank you. I know all too well about that.

karen-I totally understand and agree with that.

Kelli-It must be a different Sharon Lee. Goodness there are 2 of us. SCARY. LOL

 Randy-I don't think we plan turning points. Something major happens in our lives that brings about the decision and you are right that comes from the heart. Thank you for stopping by.

 

 

 

Aug 26, 2011 12:28 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Oh, my friend, I'm SO happy for you! You are that "flower blooming"!!!! Talk about turning points! You've made the most of yours and I'm so very proud of you. It's the mountain climb that makes/breaks people, because when you reach that turning point, you either keep climbing and finally reach the summit, or you give up and go back down...from whence you came.

 Now, I have to go see your Smart Kitty blog...missed that one....

Aug 26, 2011 01:28 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Gayle my dear friend-Your new profile pic is so beautiful and you look so happy, You make me smile every time I see your smiling face on my post. It always makes my day. I have more mountains to climb and it won't BREAK me. I still have my own blog with that song to write yet. I will though. My plate is overflowing with work and a legal matter plus of course taking care of Mom. But I need to make time for it. I have had many turning points in my life and I am in the middle of another one. In the past I have allowed myself to slide down those mountains but NOT anymore. I AM WOMAN AND someone will find out just how LOUD I can roar. He pushed me ONCE too many times. Thank you for stopping in. ALWAYS a pleasure.

Aug 26, 2011 01:47 PM
Christine Hooks
Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ
Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

Hi, Sharon

Your post has touched me very much this evening.  I am losing sleep, changing my role at work and find myself examining all aspects of my life. 

Your words have got me thinking, thinking, thinking.....

Aug 26, 2011 02:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sharon- very insightful post and I'd bet so many people go through these thoughts and feelings.  We all have choices, don't we.  It's what we do with them that can make the difference. 

Aug 26, 2011 03:20 PM
EC, JF, Double R and Zoey the Cool Cat
Russel Ray Photos - San Diego, CA

If that turning point happens in mid life, it's just a simply mid-life crisis, right? lol

Aug 26, 2011 03:47 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Sharon, we have been turning ever since the market shifted, it's kind of like one constant turning point because the market keeps changing. Things definitely do not stay the same. We must take advantage of turning points or stagnate.

Sharon

Aug 26, 2011 05:08 PM
Pam Hills
Innovative Artistry - Kendall, FL
ASP/IAHSP- Stager Miami, FL, Creative Minds Innovatively At Work

When I read this I thought it one of those zen moments!!  I hope you are well if you are having a turning point(s)?  Be strong!!  If it helps...I think many of us are....  I know that I have been evolving in a unique way that I noticed lately & I think there are times that life forces us too...we come out the other side smiling :))    Hugs & thank you!!  I am so glad that Gayle introduced.   You gave us all a wonderful gift today :))  Thank you!!

Aug 26, 2011 05:12 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Sharon, this is a beautifully written post! I think we have all come to that turning point once or twice in our lives. What you say about making the right decision is so dead on but then hindsight is always 20/20. In my life I have accepted any, or at least most of my "wrong" decisions and simply live with them. Sometimes it's a tough call. You have to follow your heart and not your head at times and it's difficult to separate the two. You have a special heart and I would hug you if you were here! You get your point across eloquently! Hug, Deb

Aug 26, 2011 07:13 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Sharon, turning points should be seen as opportunities, but honestly, I think many times they are frought with fear of the unknown and very scary - you have provided great advice for those who might be facing a turn in the road and how to take the new path.. baby steps or a huge leap....Congratulations on the feature Sharon!

Aug 27, 2011 06:50 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Chris-I am very happy to hear this post helped you. May you be blessed as you move forward in your new career path

Kathy-You are so right.

Eric-You are funny. Men normally have a mid-life crisis and women go thru the change. I will trade you. LOL

Frank & Sharon-I seem to reinvent myself a lot even now with me working as a virtual asst and taking care of Mom full time.

Pam-Thank you for the kind words. They mean a lot. I am glad you found me thru Gayle. She is a great lady. I am going thru something right now and it maybe a turning point or just standing up for what is right. I am happy this post resonated with you. Hugs to you as well.

Deb-Your kindness always makes me feel happy and cared about. I appreciate your friendship a lot. For many years I was trapped by my mistakes and I have come a long ways but still have more to go. Thank you for being a friend along the path as I will do my best to do for you.

Mary-I sometimes do baby step and other times I jump in full force. Either way I don't stay put. Thank you for the congrats.

Aug 27, 2011 07:31 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good post.  I have reached a turning point that will bring major changes.

Have a good weekend.  We expect some pretty bad weather in Maryland.

 Blooming for you!

Aug 27, 2011 07:46 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Roy-Hope they are great ones.

Aug 27, 2011 07:53 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Sharon,

It sounds like you touched on a nerve that affects many people.

Today I wish you joy! Always I wish you good health! Forever I wish you good wishes.

What a well-written post that was obviously needed for many people today.

Aug 28, 2011 04:53 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Patricia-I think in life we all have turning points. Sometimes many of them. I wish you all God's best and good health. Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed and beautiful day.

Aug 28, 2011 05:05 AM
Kristine Ginsberg
Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ
NJ Home Stager

Sharon - I think we've all been there or are there now. We are coming up on the date that my son's girlfriend who had been living with us for 3 years was in a devastating accident and died 6 months later. It happened last Labor Day and I'm dreading the anniversary only one week away. We still are reeling from the pain and sadness. I try to focus on the wonderful years we had with her. I look at all the photographs we took of the happy times we spent together as a family.

Our turning point will be and has been very slow - it is what it is and life still goes on. Because of Nicole's death, I decided to donate my kidney to my sister in law. Maybe that's a turning point - saving someone else because I couldn't save Nicole. So glad this was post featured - there's so much great, thought provoking content and we will all hit the wall at some point and it's what we do with it that determines our future.

Aug 28, 2011 06:51 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Sharon, Change to some is both scary and painful and I admit to being there in the past, paralyzed by the 'what if's' even when I knew I had to make the decision to move forward. And congratulations on the feature, well deserved!

Aug 28, 2011 11:17 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Kristine-As you come to that painful anniversary God will be with you comforting you. I will keep you in my prayers and your son as well. She was a beautiful woman. It is such a wonderful thing you are doing donating your kidney. You are such an inspiration to all of us here in the rain. I believe that donating your kidney is your turning point toward healing. You can't bring Nicole back but you can help your sister in law and I think that will be a turning point in your grief process. ((((HUGS))))

Wanda-Thank you and I have spent a lot of my life paralyzed by fear and it is such a waste of life.

Aug 28, 2011 11:47 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sharon, I guess I hit the one 2 years ago, I think that another one is on it's way, but I don't know if I want it to happened yet.

Sep 02, 2011 03:34 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Well if you have another on the way I hope you get past any bad stuff quickly and get to the good stuff.

Sep 03, 2011 08:44 AM