Mastering Transitions: Skills For Navigating Change In Your Career
Erica Yanney, Career Coach at Altitude Career Coaching.
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We've all been there: In certain moments, it seems that the world we once knew no longer exists. Whether because of something positive or negative, our world seems upside down, and we are forced to figure it all out again. Life is full of these moments, perhaps more than we would like, and as the world changes faster and faster, you may be experiencing transitions more frequently than ever before.
As a coach, I've been involved with three significant kinds of life transitions: career changes (changing roles and industries, getting promotions and going into leadership), job loss and immigration. Recently, I've been working with more clients transitioning from humanitarian and federal jobs to the corporate world, as well as leaders confronted with how AI is revolutionizing the ways we do business. Knowing that so many out there are grappling with these challenges motivated me to write this article.
No matter what type of transition you're going through, the process of regaining a sense of balance and happiness tends to be similar. In this article, I'm going to discuss some of the common processes you may need to undergo to overcome a transition.
Humans are creatures of habit. Our brains like automated processes that are ingrained and don't require a lot of energy. Change creates discomfort. Our brains are forced to deal with unfamiliar stimuli and find new ways to respond. Coupled with that, change can trigger feelings of insecurity, and not knowing what will happen can lead to fear of losing autonomy, uncertainty about how it will affect our relationships and doubt about our ability to handle the situation.
Developing your emotional intelligence—your self-awareness, adaptability, optimism and achievement orientation—can help you navigate moments of confusion better. If you have not developed these life skills yet, this can be a great opportunity to learn and become better at them. The Building Blocks of Emotional Intelligence 12-book series, written by Daniel Goleman and his colleagues, is a good resource.
The good news is that this process can change you for the better. Keep in mind that whatever shock you face won't last forever. You are an intelligent and capable being who's able to figure it out. What is not clear now will become clear. And you don't have to go through it alone. Lean on your friends and family, or seek professional support, to help you find your bearings and survive.
As you go through the initial shock of the transition, monitor your internal self-talk and the stories your brain is creating to protect you and make sense of the situation. Your initial impressions may not correspond to reality, as our brains often overreact at first. Process your feelings and observe yourself internally. Give yourself time to reflect and understand what is going on inside of you. Be aware of your reactions, and be careful not to lash out at others because of your internal emotional turmoil, as it can damage relationships and opportunities.
The more we go through life-changing events, the more we understand the world and ourselves. Each challenge demands that we adapt who we are and what we believe in. It is natural. Be open to the transformation.
Anchor yourself on what you know: who you are, what you believe, your values and your purpose. Recall these anchors when you're in crisis. These deep and foundational truths will help you navigate doubts and find answers that align with who you are, what you believe and who you want to be. In the midst of chaos, these are truths to hold on to; they'll give you a sense of stability and security.
Our internal processing and the way we handle change are things we can control; we can decide how we are going to react. While you may not have the same level of control regarding external circumstances, you can progress in your knowledge about the situation to be better equipped to decide the best way to survive and thrive in the new circumstances.
Keep your mind, eyes and ears open. Exploring, being curious, learning and sensing, in a nonreactive way, can help you make sense of it all. Just remember that first impressions may not be the whole truth or the truth at all. Give yourself time to analyze things better.
Once you've regained your self-awareness and situational awareness, think about your goals. What do you want to happen in this situation? How can it become better? What are the rewards that can come out of it? Self-motivation and achievement orientation can be the keys to overcoming the initial shock paralysis and getting you moving.
Ideating solutions, identifying what you need to learn and taking progressive small steps toward normalcy and stability will bring new energy and new focus to your life and career.
Everyone's journey is unique. Adaptability and resilience will help you prevail during times of change. They'll keep you progressing and reaching new heights of performance. They'll help you find success regardless of external circumstances. Believe in yourself. Surround yourself with resources and support, and know that you will figure out a way to get through any transition that comes your way.
Whether you're facing unemployment, immigrating to a new country, becoming a leader, transitioning into a new career, moving from a federal job into the corporate world or dealing with the challenges of AI, don't be discouraged. There are strategies to get through any change successfully. You just need to open your eyes and senses and start learning to get there.
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