7 Steps to a New Life Overseas

Research shows that at any one time more than half of us are dreaming of a new life overseas, but few actually succeed in making the transition from fantasy to reality.

To completely turn everything on its head and start your life all over again in a foreign country is an incredible undertaking and one that many dream of but most ultimately shy away from.

If you would like to make your dream a reality this article will help you find the courage and strength you need to: -

- Define your new life

- Find your motivation for making your new life a reality

- Overcome any fears or uncertainty

- Practically work to find your ideal destination

- And avoid some of the more common pitfalls

What is it about your current life that you would like to change?

This will be the most important step on your road to getting a new life - finding out whether you really do want a new life or whether you simply need to make adjustments to your current life - it's all about finding your motivation!

Take a look at the following areas of your life. Write down honestly and exactly why you are dissatisfied or disillusioned with them, or how you would like to change them. Then write down if and how moving abroad will bring you closer to satisfaction in these areas.

Hopefully there are areas of your life that you are perfectly happy with, if that's the case, make a note of how these areas of your life will be affected if you move overseas - either positively or negatively.

a) Your work/job/career.

b) Your living environment/your home/your Home town.

c) Your personal/family life.

d) Your social life.

The point of this exercise is getting a reality check and ultimately defining your motivation for seeking a new life.

You can keep coming back to what's important to keep and what's important to change as you progress with your planning. This will make sure you stay on track and aren't running away from something negative only for it to follow you, and you aren't leaving behind something important.

Once you have your motivation defined this will guide the rest of your journey.

Step Two - Stop thinking "what have I got to lose" - instead, start asking yourself "what have I got to gain?"

Time to be utterly selfish - and time for another list!

You and your important people - i.e., anyone else you want to move overseas with (partner, children) - need to sit down and make a 'life wish list.'

What is it you want out of life...?

Write down everything, no matter how trivial or how incredible?Now compare lists!

Find common ground, find compromise and ultimately see how the dreams you've all now defined will be reconciled with the reality of a new life abroad.

Again, as you progress with your planning you can keep these dreams in mind and make sure you're progressing in the right direction to achieve them.

Step Three - Honesty an