Transition - a simple word with huge connotations!

transition (noun)

The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

This encapsulates the very essence of how I feel about coaching when a client moves from their current state to their desired state.

Depending on what that desired state is, it can take courage, self-honesty, and a

shift in mindset to make the transition to what you truly desire.

Here are some synonyms for transition:

Change, move, passage, transformation, conversion, adaptation, adjustment,

alteration, changeover, metamorphosis; shift, switch, jump, leap, progression,

progress, gradation, development, evolution; transfiguration, flux, mutation,

transmutation, vicissitude.

All of these can be especially emotive whilst experiencing a change in circumstances.

What does it mean to transition?

From a work perspective it could be that you are experiencing a transition from your

current role to a promotion, or taking that next step into a new job, career, or perhaps a business you have started.

You could even be leaving your career to retire to pursue other interests (like I did).

Or maybe you’re returning to the workplace after time off from maternity leave,

long-term illness, or a sabbatical.

But the real question is…how does it feel when you make a transition?

It may feel uncertain, or give you a sense of feeling outside of your comfort zone,

maybe some apprehension and, in some cases, a crippling state of self-doubt.

Your inner voice questioning you "can I do this?!"

How would I know any of this?

I’ve been there and can help you navigate your way through it.

Stepping into the unknown can be exciting yet simultaneously nerve wracking.

You can have a rollercoaster of emotions from; "this is amazing" to "can I do this?"

This is when having an alignment coach to help you navigate the transition can be

the difference between suffering in silence or finding your way with curiosity, championed by someone who has your back. It feels safe.

For example, at the start of my career I transitioned from a secure, administrative

office job into the unknown territory of field sales, then adjusted from selling products to selling a service - very different to what I was used to - then progressed from selling a service to managing people. This was an entirely different world to navigate and took a lot of adjustment, especially being responsible for team performance as well as my own.

To be honest, I made many transitions throughout my career as I’m sure many of you

reading this have. It can be exhilarating learning new things like when I first went into General Management and learned (on the job) how to run a business that not only included

sales, but also warehouse and driver operations, customer services, credit control,

people development, HR governance and everything else in between like how to

motivate your maintenance staff to prevent the toilets overflowing!

Believe me, it took its toll on how you feel at times, especially when dealing with angry drivers arguing who has the best delivery round, or your top performing sales person being poached by the competition.

Plus it can be wrongly perceived when you discuss your feelings in the corporate world. Women are labelled emotional and men weak if they say how they feel. All of which can impact mental health, the silent killer of our current times.

It can also be lonely the further up the ladder you get. There is joy and excitement in joining a board of directors or reaching that hard- earned promotion to Managing Director, but it comes at a price. Nobody, and I mean nobody, prepares you for the feelings you have as you make that transition. Personally, I couldn’t have done the last two giant steps in my career had it not been for some amazing coaches…(you know who you are!)

If that wasn’t enough…I transitioned into early retirement to pursue other

interests and set up my own coaching business.

Maybe I like transition, or should I say transformation?

What does it take to make that move and take that next step?

What does it take to transition?

It takes courage, belief and most importantly, a vision.

As Steven R. Covey said in his brilliant book: Seven habits of highly effective people,

‘START WITH THE END IN MIND’

Once you know what your desired result is, keep it in front of mind. It helps overcome the negative self-talk rampaging through your head when you face your first challenge (the interview perhaps). It helps you keep your focus when you get distracted (Netflix, children, family, doom-scrolling). It even helps you get excited when you spend time alone with your vision to nurture it and embellish it with feeling. All of which your coach can help you with.

In the practice of mBIT (Multiple Brain Integration Techniques) a neuroscience-based

practical coaching technique, we have a roadmap and a process. The process starts with assessing your current state, establishing your desired outcome and ultimately, exploring what is stopping you from achieving what you desire by aligning your three brains…that’s the magic sauce!

Once you discover what is stopping you from taking that next step, whether

it be applying for that promotion, learning a new skill or moving into a new career,

you can overcome it and make it happen!

If any of this resonates with you, go ahead and reach out to me to book a FREE 30

minute online introductory call: mandy@thealignmentcoach.com

Wishing you alignment with your success

Mandy.