Dealing with Change and Transition Today

This year presented challenges for many of us. Some of us lived through changes in various areas of our lives: Careers shifted as companies closed down. Financial situations changed for those who could not pay mortgages, forecloesed on homes, lost a large part of their life savings, the tuition fund for their children, their nest egg for retirement. Lifestyles changed and as a result perceptions of ourselves, others and the world changed. Many of us are undergoing change and transition.

Transitions are never easy. Change IS uncomfortable, yet it opens the door to new and better opportunities, new ways of thinking and in most cases a better life. It makes us stop and Focus on ourselves. Who are we? What do we want? Focus and clarification are the first steps to accepting and dealing with change.

Focus is your key to success. Focus is the highest level of vision. Once you have a crystal clear vision of who you are and what you want, you can move forward to develop a plan for change and take action. The following are 4 strategies I use with my coaching clients to successfully deal with change and transition:

Focus

You can achieve a high level of focus by powerful questioning. These are not easy questions to answer since they ask us to think and dig very deep. We generally start by trying to "figure it out" on our own, often fueled by embarrassment that somehow we created the situation or fear of self disclosure. This may work temporarily, until we discover our limits when it comes to seeing ourselves clearly. In other words, our knowledge and information base may not be enough to carry us through new situations and help us grow in meaningful ways. At this point, we have two choices: keep doing the same thing, or seek the support of a change agent such as a Life Coach.

A Life and Transactions coach will help you clarify and focus on what you want, create a vision, set goals and develop an action plan for change. A good coach will keep you in action and on track to reach your goals with a strong sense of momentum.

Accept Change and Take Action

Each of us grows and adapts to change in our own unique ways. If you feel "stuck", boxed in, frustrated, alone and confused, the following are some positive results oriented solutions.

1. One-on-one support helps you focus on your issues without distraction and accelerates positive change. You can find this with a Life Coach or Therapist.

2. A supportive group environment strengthens and reinforces our newly acquired awareness, thoughts and feelings. Many Life coaches offer group sessions where you can learn and grow from the experiences of others.

3. Choose a professional you feel you can trust and is your biggest fan!

Choose the change environment that works for you. The one that makes you feel the most comfortable, secure and at ease. The more comfortable you feel, the easier it is to accept and deal with change and transitions.

Create Support Structures

Support structures accelerate change. Unconditional support from a trained professional in a comfortable environment helps us maintain a fresh perspective and align our thoughts with actions that generate new results. It also accelerates learning by encouraging honest and open dialogue in areas where we may feel weak or exposed. Change carries with it feelings of vulnerability and fear (both normal human responses) that inhibit growth. Once we accept Change, we look at the world with a whole new set of eyes. Our vision becomes so clear, directed and positive. We feel happy and optimistic about the future.

When we are in "judgment free" environments, where open and honest expression is expected, our fear level decreases and our capacity to learn increases. Our false bravado and our inner critic begins to evaporate and we become open to making mistakes (also part of the journey) and less interested in holding up an artificial image which gets in our way and stifles growth. We hear and absorb new information that fosters positive change.

Build Self Confidence

Building our self confidence also accelerates the change process and motivates us to take action. Plus it feels good and when we feel good anything is possible!During times of change, our self confidence may get shaky. Lending a hand and sharing our experiences helps others to grow, and reinforces our own sense of mastery and self-worth, fueling purpose and passion in our lives.

Practice Gratitude

Taking an appreciative attitude towards what we have accelerates change and promotes happiness. Research shows by practicing daily gratitude one connects with their inner self, experience a greater sense of inner peace, courage, strenght, happiness and positive energy. Start by keeping as gratitude journal. Each night write down 3 things you are thankful for. You'll be amazed at the happiness and success it bring in all areas of your life! You will feel the positive transitions and change taking place. My clients who use this tool have greater success rates and begin to see the world with a "new set of eyes". The glass once empty is now half full and growing.

Transitions are part of the human experience; without change things cease to grow. There's no standing still. Learn to trust your instincts, gut reactions and intuition - they are your most important guides as you make this marvelous journey called life. Folks who experience My Life Transitions Coaching get positive results in only a few sessions.