Career transitions are rarely smooth or pain free.
Especially when we are making a BIG shift. A 180-degree change in our lives.
Yet, somehow we have the illusion that we can be in control. HA!
Even when we are at our best we have little real control.
So, why then do we believe we "SHOULD" be in control whilst we are navigating our career transition.
The first thing to go during any transition is CONTROL.
William Bridges who wrote, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, called this phase of the career process the "Neutral Zone". A time when old skills no longer worked, our sense of identity was disintegrating, and we felt totally, completely out of control.
Give up the idea of control.
Instead embrace the idea of creating order in your lives.
NO! I don’t mean lining up your books neatly, edges squared, pencils neatly tucked away!
I mean order in the sense suggested by Larry Ackerman in his new book, The Identity Code: The 8 Essential Questions for Finding Your Purpose and Place In the World.
Here’s what Ackerman says about Finding Order:
"Most people seek order in their lives. It helps them avoid the confusions — even, at times, the feelings of madness — that can otherwise creep up on them when they least expect it. Order helps us navigate uncertainty, deal with surprize, and explain why various events happened, or why they didn’t.
Order is a matter of rhythym … Our lives are no different. We are our own music. We must find our own rhythym." [emphasis mine]
I LIKE THAT!
March to your own drummer! Make your own music. Find your pace. Follow it.
Give up control!
Create your sense of order — and embrace THAT!
