October has arrived with the sleepy downturn of activity and the unknowable gravitas of pumpkin spice whatever. I always feel like I have just established a foothold in the year when October arrives. Maybe it is the cooler weather that allows me to take a look around, slow down and take inventory. Maybe the influx of new people at Starbucks huffing and puffing that their drink is taking too long signals a denouement. The nervous pacing of the impatient online coffee patrons with their seemingly important hurry. Nothing is ever fast enough. Transitioning from one thing to another is a challenge. Our resistance to change makes many of us ignore significant issues choosing to accept mediocrity for predictability. We knowingly accept less than what we deserve because the fear of the unknown even if that could be greatness awaiting us shackles us to the lessor of great if it is predictable. Irrationally we assume that if a transition has not occurred by October, then it won’t happen. This idea made me think of how I handle transitions. From welcoming them to enduring them, I use a series of techniques that I hope you can employ:
1. Believe that transitions are happening because something old has lost usefulness in your life so embrace the coming new thing whatever it is.
2. Be patient. Create psychological space by limiting distractions so you can embrace all disruptions. Let whatever is happening develop completely, avoiding the pressure to stop early because you are uncomfortable.
3. Create a collateral damage chart. In order to navigate a transition, we should look at the various people, things and communities that this transition will affect so that we can be prepared to answer for the outcomes that affect those in the blast radius of change. Transitions affect more than just you.
4. Be prepared. Transitions cause energy to be used in new ways, so sleep, diet and exercise are important to sustain yourself.
5. Visualize the new situation you are transitioning into. Change has a destination so visualize where you see yourself going so you can land on your feet. Do this daily.
6. Manage your time with whatever transition is at your threshold. Do not allow the foundational things in your life to be neglected as you are transitioning. Manage the responsibilities that you derive your centeredness from so that one area of transition does not destroy those things that are not changing.
7. Let go of things that are not working. No one likes change so when transitions occur, we have to realize that if we don’t shed old things then we get weighed down by them. We only have two hands so ask yourself what old thing will you put down so you can pick up the new thing.
8. Remember fortune favors the bold. Determine what the transition you are facing is asking you to be bold about.
9. Be brave. Keep telling yourself that transitions are happening whether we want them to or not so instead of fearing change be brave welcome it.
Albert R. Hartley
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