7 Keys to a Successful Transition
Whatever you go through in life, change is bound to be a certainty. Having gone through some big changes of late myself, I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve learned, which I hope can help someone too.
1. Identify your purpose.
Your purpose is your reason, your “why”. Why are you giving up your life that you’ve known for uncertainty? It takes guts. It takes courage. It takes perspective. Being clear about your “why” helps you to evaluate what’s at stake and what it’s worth.
2. Your path does not have to be linear.
It can take on unique shapes, and there can be beauty in that. Your first step might not be the one that brings you to the finish line. It might be a detour, which could be a positive thing - bringing you new connections or resources for the journey, or a negative thing - a distraction that kills your time. Find the lesson in the detour. What are you taking away from it?
3. Recognise who you are becoming in this season of life.
As you go through change, you evolve as a person. You may no longer be the person you once were, but may be taking on a new purpose, e.g. being promoted, taking on a new job, relocating; or taking on a new identity, e.g. becoming a spouse, a new parent, having a new job title. What old beliefs or attachments do you need to let go of? What new thinking or attitudes do you need to acquire, to become a better you for the new season?
4. Anchor in something that is not changing.
When there is so much change around you, it is easy to be tossed to and fro by the winds around you - whether those winds are changing circumstances or other people’s opinions. Those can not only be de-stabilising, confusing, throw you off course, and hard to navigate, but you need a source that is a constant in your life. Whether that is your family, a dear friend, a wellness professional, or a religious faith. Who/What can be your compass on this journey, and point you to true north?
5. Garner support, reach out for help.
Let’s face it. Life is hard enough as it is without major change. It takes a village. Reach out to others for recommendations, for connections, for resources, for input, for a helping hand. Learn from their mistakes also. It’s easier to face change being in a community of support, than to face change all alone. Who do you need to reach out to?
6. Give yourself some compassion.
Change is hard. It may upend your life. Mourn the life that you knew or may have lost - your connections, your networks, your identity, your way of life, even your possessions. After you’ve taken the time to grieve or reflect, put on hope (hope is a choice, like a garment you would put on) and work on your new chapter - make new connections, new networks, form an evolved identity. Take care of your inner wellbeing. Give yourself time as you test and try new things.
Like a butterfly as it metamorphises, you are not the same as you were before, you are growing.
You can celebrate the joys, as you conquer the ups and downs of the arduous mountain you’ve just climbed. The joy of accomplishment is in the journey, not just in the destination.
7. Attitude determines altitude.
You may hate the change because it was forced upon you. Whether it was a redundancy, Covid-related policy, or other change where you had no choice. Or it can be a voluntary change, where you had full control and agency, e.g. resigning from your job to start your own business. The attitude you bring into a period of change affects how high and how far you will go. Does your attitude need a reset? A fine-tuning? Do you need to see more possibilities?
Talk with someone who can expand your horizon, have new perspectives, and spend time in their company. I’ve been fortunate to meet some people who completely blew my mind. I can see myself in a new way, and it helped change my perspective of what’s possible. Find the people around you who can see opportunities for you more than you can see for yourself.
Who can be that for you?
If this has inspired or challenged you, I would love to hear from you. Please send me a note on my contact form here.