Transition Management

In the past, changes (societal shifts, disasters, mergers, plant closings, promotions) were relatively infrequent and took place within an environment that gave people time to adjust to the new situations. But in today’s world, the nature of change itself is in a word - changing!

Today’s rate of change is greatly accelerated over that of the past. There is typically little opportunity for stability or adjustment before newer changes begin to emerge. With the fast pace of change and the additional uncertainty of an insecure economic environment, we are quickly learning that the old rules simply no longer apply. The future is hard to predict.

Since the rate of change will continue to escalate, our challenge is to manage our individual transition into this new and uncertain world. To do so, we will need to take more personal responsibility for our learning. We will learn to navigate transition by being more experimentive and substituting self-limiting beliefs with more positive imagery and optimism. Remember that while transition/ change equals stress, even exciting, positive changes shock our systems and cause anxiety. If you find yourself experiencing frustration, anger, even depression—recognize that it’s part of the natural path to acceptance.

Here are some tips that may help you navigate transition more gracefully.
1. Keep a journal that includes a review of your day and your feelings.
2. Reach out to others and get more support than usual—let family, friends know how to help you.
3. Use time management skills wisely—set realistic priorities and delegate wherever possible.
4. Make a list of ways you can simplify your life and do it!
5. Slow down, take a temporary time out.
6. Think of this time as an adventure—an opportunity to design the life you want.
7. Create some new habits that regularly nurture your mind, body and spirit.
8. Make a list of things you are tolerating right now and develop a plan to reduce or eliminate them.
9. Make a list of everything that’s missing from your life – things that would lead to fulfillment and balance and develop a plan to GO FOR IT!
10. If you need additional support or accountability consider hiring a coach to help.