At the end of my initial meeting with a new client, I ask, “How are you feeling now?” Often the answer involves a mixture of high anxiety and excitement. This is the ready edge. Our conversation cracked open the door and light is shining through where it was previously dark or murky.

The ready edge emerges for several reasons. It might be the result of a personal choice to change your life or your career. You may be feeling stuck or unsatisfied, wanting more but not sure what form the next chapter will take.

In my life, picking up the phone and quitting my full-time job was the ultimate ready edge. I remember the moment after I quit. The room was silent as I sat with my decision. Then I became aware of a garbage truck unloading outside the window. Humm, I thought, the world will go on no matter what I just did. Fear coursed through my body. And then, I got excited. It was up to me to make my dream of owning a business a reality. I jumped into action.

Conversely, the ready edge might be thrust upon you. Examples include being laid off from your job, becoming injured or ill, or finding out a baby is on the way. These events are complex and laden with both struggle and opportunity. It’s up to you to manage the fear and embrace what’s next.

Granted, if you are living through a ready edge right now, the negative feelings threaten to overwhelm the positive ones. Thus, I’d like to offer a few suggestions:

Take Stock of Your Overall Situation

Weight your assets and your liabilities. Pay attention to the level of support you have from others. Do you have friends and family who have your back? Do you have financial resources? What is your living situation? How is your health? All these factors are relevant and can be taken for granted. A conscious accounting of your resources helps you stay out of irrational levels of fear. Even if you have almost nothing in the asset column, it’s likely you have something to be grateful for.

Ask for Help

I remember meeting with a girlfriend for lunch after I broke up with my boyfriend, moved into a room, and was starting over at the age of forty-four. After I shared the drama of previous weeks in my life, my friend looked at me and asked, “Why didn’t you call me?” I had no answer. Truthfully, I did not know she was there for me. I learned that day, when you are dealing with a ready edge, ask for help.

Take Care of Yourself

Most ready edges are a lot of work on both the physical and emotional levels. Often there is tremendous urgency to make stuff happen. You might neglect your nutrition, exercise, and sleep. This is a failing strategy because you need to be strong. Step back and make sure your self-care is prioritized.

There is light cracking through the door of your ready edge. Visualize how bright the next chapter will be and then get moving.