Self-help synthesized
I found this article called Every self-help book ever, boiled down to 11 simple rules to be quite good. Reading through this helped me make my decision to go back to school.
Topic #5 really helped me clarify some thinking. If Memento Mori (remember that you have to die) is a little bleak for you, the article offers another way to think through this.
I’ve heard this called “Future Casting” or “Working from the future” too. Basically you visualize in as much clarity as you can the ideal outcome, then take a breath. Next, work backwards from that end state to make the steps that got you there. Then, start taking the first one.
If you are interested in trying something like this, find a buddy or coach to help you through it. It can be emotional work, indeed.