In this episode of 'My BrainWise Coach,' co-hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the concept of feeling stuck or uncertain during life transitions. They dive into neuroscience-based strategies to help individuals identify their purpose and plan their future. The hosts share tools such as the 'Ikigai' framework and the 'Pictures Exercise' to assist listeners in defining their strengths, passions, and community needs. Cole actively participates in these exercises, providing real-life examples and demonstrating how one might navigate their path forward. This episode is a valuable guide for anyone facing transition, offering practical exercises and insightful reflections to find clarity and direction.

00:00 Welcome and Thanksgiving Reflections

01:57 Diving into Neuroscience and Multiple Characters

03:31 Feeling Stuck: Understanding Transitions

14:21 Exploring the Transition Map

22:10 Planning Your Future: Practical Steps

23:04 Starting the Transition Process

24:40 Live Demo and Purpose Exploration

25:24 Discovering Your Life's Purpose

29:39 Understanding Ikigai

31:02 Identifying Your Strengths and Passions

33:04 Community Needs and Marketable Skills

38:32 Visualizing Your Future

45:56 Recap and Next Steps

46:58 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

BrainWise Tips and Key Takeaways

1. Identify Your Purpose: Reflect on your life's mission. Understanding your unique purpose can be a guiding star in moments of uncertainty.
2. Utilize the Ikigai Model: This Japanese concept helps find your sweet spot by considering what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
3. Create Your Vision: Use visual exercises to imagine your future. Whether it's through a collage of images or a vision board, visualizing your dreams can provide clarity and motivation.
4. Acknowledge the Neutral Zone: Recognize that the period between endings and new beginnings, often called the "neutral zone," is filled with potential for creativity and renewal.
5. Journal Your Journey: Keep a journal to document your thoughts, feelings, and revelations as you navigate your transition. Writing helps solidify insights and track progress.
6. Cultivate Resilience: Build up the emotional resilience needed to confront and move past any barriers that arise.
7. Engage Your Support Network: Lean on friends, family, and mentors for guidance and encouragement. No transition is undertaken alone.
8. Embrace Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Life's transitions often require trial and error to find the right path.
9. Reflect and Realign: Periodically reevaluate your goals and methods to ensure they align with your evolving vision.
10. Practice Patience: Give yourself grace during this process. True change takes time and patience.