Six Steps to Navigating Transitions
Everyone navigates transitions in their life. Some can be less significant in nature, such as finishing one book you’ve been reading and starting another or finishing up your 9-5 and switching to your 5-9 (e.g. picking up children from daycare, spending time the family, etc.). Other transitions can be more significant, such as moving on from one job to begin a new one, moving from an apartment and into your first home or going from independent and single to in a relationship or even married. Some transitions we choose to seek out while sometimes others are chosen for us. Regardless of the manner in which transitions show up, how we respond to them is always a choice of our own.
Transition is defined as a change or shift from one state, subject, place, etc. to another. Depending upon your relationship and experience with transitions (and their varying level of significance), they have the ability to trigger a spectrum of energy filled reactions, thoughts and emotions - from fear, anger and anxiety to excitement, joy, and ease. While there’s no right or wrong reaction, what I want to share with you is that you can consciously choose to navigate transitions with more intention and expand your relationship with them.
Whether you’ve got time right now to prepare for an upcoming transition or just want to plan ahead, what I I teach my clients (based on what I learned during my iPEC certification process), is that there are six influencers that can have an impact on the energy we bring and experience during transition or change; physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, environmental and social. And similar to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs human motivation theory, I believe these six influencers should be assessed in a distinct order to ensure our internal needs and safety (body, mind, etc.) are met BEFORE introducing external sources (possessions, people, etc.).
Below is a visual I’ve put together, and spend time discussing with my clients during our coaching sessions, to help further explain these six energy influencers and what they mean.
But as I mentioned before, it is important to think about these influencers as a series of logical steps, especially when we leverage them to help us navigate transition or change. Let’s start at the base of the visual or pyramid in order to deepen our connection to each them.
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The first step to successfully navigating any transition is connecting to your physical body. Our bodies contain a wealth of input that is often missed because we don’t actively listen to its signals. In addition to listening to our body's signals (gut instinct, sore throat, exhaustion, lightness, etc.) it’s our responsibility to provide it with the proper nutrients so it can thrive. From food to water to sleep, prioritizing these basic physical needs ensure that your body is well rested and fueled so it can perform at its highest level.
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Once your body is fed, rested and your nervous system is regulated, then you can move to the next step - managing your mindset. How you perceive a transition impacts the actions you take or do not take. Observing your thoughts and consciously choosing to follow those which will help you achieve your desired result is a practice. The next time you're confronted with a transition or change, regardless of the signifigance, recognize the thoughts your mind is offering to you and choose them wisely.
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With a safe body and conscious mind, you're ready to validate and partner with your emotions. Like thoughts and sensations, your emotions are a form of communication from your physical body. Suppressing or ignoring them can negatively impact your health, which is why learning to receive your own emotional energy (and that of others), manage it and then regulate it is an important skill. In fact, this concept is so important, that Harvard Business School reported that emotional intelligence is one of the most sought-after interpersonal skills in the workplace, more so than technical skills.
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The fourth step is to get clear on how you want to navigate the transition and visualize the end state. Spend ample time reflecting on what you desire and why that’s important (aka your values). Only you know that answer and it will be different for everyone. The sooner you can identify what you want, the sooner you can focus your energy on taking small steps towards making it a reality. The one requirement for this step is that your answers must be forward looking, specific and within your control.
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Once you’ve achieved a stable body, mind, emotional state and have a clear future in sight you can begin to introduce external influencers starting with your environment. Your physical location and the possessions you surround yourself with are either increasing or decreasing your energy during a transition. Every tangible item you’ve purchased including your clothing, home decor and location you reside in are contributing to your energetic frequency. Recognize how each item makes you feel, and if it doesn't light you up then create a plan to purge and / or uplevel it in the coming days, months or years.
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The sixth and final step is your social circle. You don’t have to go through change alone. Surround yourself with people and organizations that will support you during the transition. Ask a neighbor, family member, friend, Therapist or me for help. Join a community of like-minded people virtually or in-person. Although at times it may feel like it when you're in the midst of a transition, it’s important to remember that you are never alone and always have options for connection.
I’ve used this six step approach countless times over the past three years and continue to use it today while navigating transitions in my life. Whether it’s moving from one place to another on opposite sides of the country, changing client meetings last-minute from one date / time to another or even to needing to manage an unexpected flat tire during a bike ride - I always come back to this pyramid and use it as a checklist to ground myself in the moment and take the next step.
How you navigate transitions from here on out is your choice. You now have a new tool to help you approach them with more ease, clarity and support. As with any new habit, the more you consistently practice these six steps the easier they become. But remember, you don’t have to go it alone. If you want help navigating an upcoming transition, or one that is already underway, schedule a free discovery session with me to begin the conversation.