It’s a new year and new transitions await you. You may choose to make changes which will cause one or more transitions in your life. Your work or life circumstances may take you by surprise and deliver unplanned changes. Either way, you get to choose how you will respond to these changes in your life. Your choices will determine the speed and the success of each of your new transitions.
1. Will you assume a new role as a result of a planned or unplanned change?
2. How will you make this role fit with your existing roles (spouse, parent, child, employee, friend…)?
3. Will you let go of any roles?
4. Do you want to change any of your values going forward? Which ones?
5. Which of your values are now most important? Least important? Somewhere in between?
6. What behaviors will you change to reflect your values and their priority in your new life?
7. Who are you—without mentioning work or your relationship to other people?
8. Are you satisfied with that description of you? If not, what will you change?
9. Who will you choose to be on your team during new transitions?
10. How do you want each person to support you as you transition to a new role, new values, and/or a new identity?
Just remember, a change is not the same thing as a transition. “Change” means to make different. “Transition” signifies passage from one stage or state of being to another. Change is often quick—like a job loss, marriage, or death of a loved one—while new transitions take time—finding a new job, adjusting to life as a couple, or grieving a loss.
No matter how happy the circumstances, change is rarely easy. Now is a great time to learn to become more confident and independent. Trust your ability to transition successfully through changes to a new you in this new year.