Transition to Transform: Embracing Change and Growth

Riding to work - yes we are back in the office with a few of my colleges. This was an agreed to office day and we had to show up. Since we had been mostly zooming for the last while the typical office banter had gone by the wayside. So having 45 minutes together - all 4 of us - with no particular work agenda some of our personal feelings surfaced. This is the conversation that ensued. “ I like this job but I really feel I have more to offer. I don’t like the culture so much and there is a better place for me to shine. But here I am 45 and have been here 10 years.” Had good promotions but I am scared to leave - what if I don’t like the next place.” Susan chimed in with the a similar comment but it had to do with a relationship. This went on for awhile. Naturally I had my own “2 Cents” to add in a similar vein. Mine had to do with a family relationship that was toxic but I just could not leave it.

 It seemed we all had something that we wanted to change but could not seem to do it. Instead we chose to hung on the known - maybe because it was comfortable, we weren’t motivated to change things or we were just plain afraid. Thinking about this I asked myself if this was a common phenomena

 and began taking an informal poll. People replied with things like:

• I have been unhappy in this relationship for years but its works and it works for the kids
• My job is plain boring - but the pay is good and I’m in my comfort zone.
• I know everyone here and I don’t have to watch my back so much
• I f I stay a few more years my 401K match will be better

You get the picture. Many of stay in situations that are okay but could be much better if we only took the step to move out of our comfort zone. Sometimes catastrophic events happen that for for us to move but everyday life does not always present this situations. Fortunately! Life is really a cycle of waves and knowing when to catch the next wave is always tricky and not always seen. I call this the transition phase. Knowing you have to do something else - make a transition but not knowing how or to what. Many talk about transformation but before you transform you have to accept you have to transition.

Transition can take many forms. You can transition in your current situation by changing your thinking. You don’t always have to leave and go somewhere else. You can look at your current situation and reframe for a better fit.

You can look around for other alternatives - go back to school, consider a move. There are always alternatives that may loo scary but in reality will stretch you and make for a better next wave to catch. The first step is to recognize you need to transition. It will be relief

Here’s some thoughts if you find yourself doing the doggy paddle or just plain coasting.

To transition - 

• Take a good and honest stock of where you are - not where you want to be but where you really are. Put it away for a day or 2 and reexamine it and see if it still rings true
• Now look at the skills you have - be brutally honest
• Next look at the environment your in and environment that makes you happy - where and when you feel at your best.

Once you have done this it is time then to transform. Now you need to take the specific steps to transform yourself to the next best place. Write your transition plan - not more than 1 page, track your progress to transformation, record and saw how you feel when you reach your next wave. Most people will do this many times in their lifetime - that’s what learning and growing is all about. And we are never tooo old to learn, grow and transform

Write that vision of your next best place, job relationship - whatever it may be. Now write the steps down to get there and starting moving on your transition plan to transform! The road to transformation can be fun, scary and an exciting journey. This reminds me of a song if you're stuck. “Drop off the keys lee, get a new plan Stan but get yourself free of what ever it”. You’ll be glad you did. Stop, spot and swap. Add some ideas from the prevention magazine

I would love to hear stories if this short vignettes resonates with you on how you transitioned to transformation. Its a process, a journey its scary but can be so rewarding.

How did its go for you, where are you today and are you still transforming. I am in transition yet again in my life! I am excited to see how I transform. But ….I know it will be a lumpy road.

#moragbarrett#eddieturner#100coaches