Most of us feel quite anxious when making big changes in our lives. We're afraid we'll make a mistake that we'll later regret. I've found that taking small steps towards a decision works to alleviate this unnecessary anxiety. You'll probably find that as you take those small steps the decision becomes clearer, your resolve becomes stronger and the fear begins to lessen. In this way, intuition can guide you, small step by small step.

During times of crisis it often feels like everything is going wrong, but that's seldom true. Staying focused on what makes you feel bad will only worsen a difficult situation. Pay attention to what is working. Perhaps a friend called to cheer you up, or your child got off to school this morning without a major tantrum, or you had a really nice lunch with a colleague. Find those precious slivers of appreciation in each day.

This is not the time to think catastrophic thoughts about your future. Make a conscious attempt to shift the focus from any pessimistic thoughts. Adopt a short-term mindset for now. Try saying things to yourself like, "I know I'll get through this," "What could I do today to make things easier?" "I am open and receptive to new ideas about how to improve my situation," "I've gotten through tough times before," and, "Something good will come of this."

Use a journal to write down — with as much detail as you need — exactly what's causing the anxiety and why. Then, shift your focus to the immediate future. Consider what outcome would best solve your problem and brainstorm five ways to achieve that end.