How to Embrace Transition

If you could keep everything in your life the same, just as it is now, would you take it? Is there anything at all that you would like to have or to do differently? Most of us would answer Yes to the second question. Even those of us who are already grateful for what we have in life there is usually something more that we seek, whether that is a feeling, an experience, a material thing or an achievement. We would then go about taking the necessary steps towards making this happen. One thing we may not be consciously aware of as part of this process is that we are in transition when moving from our present state to our desired state.

The concept of transition tends to be viewed as an unpleasant experience and something to be avoided or passed through as quickly as possible. However only through undergoing transition can we make our dreams a reality and achieve our goals. If you think about it, transition leads us to our desired state. So why are there sometimes negative associations with it? Transition is not an “it,” a tangible thing that you can see or hold! It is a process. We are transitioning from one state of existence to another, with the result intended to be better than the initial state.

Transition can take many forms and can happen based on varying degrees of personal choice. I transitioned from one country to another when I moved from Australia to the UK. In fact, I did so 3 times! I am happy to say that I am now settled in the UK. Moving countries was one of the most challenging transitions I have experienced so why did I do it 3 times? For me, it was the experience of living the London lifestyle - meeting interesting people, making new friends, working and travelling to new places. Of course, with this came the issues of logistics, sorting out my visa, endlessly thinking about what to pack, leaving behind my secure life. Then once in the UK, having to find a place to live, finding a job, the anxiety of meeting new people and the unfamiliarity of new surroundings. On an unconscious level, I had assessed that it was more important for me to have these valuable life experiences than it was to avoid the discomfort of transitioning from one country to another.

The big issue with transition is when it is forced upon us and we are not ready or prepared to accept the change and in creeps the fear of the unknown. For example, when we are suddenly told at work that senior management have made the decision to restructure the department without prior consultation with employees, it can bring about feelings of uncertainty and mistrust which can quickly ripple outwards. In order to make the most of the transitional process, I would say it is useful to be as prepared and informed as possible. This could be by asking questions, enlisting the help of others, taking action, doing your own research and of course, adopting a resourceful mindset. You will find that you are in control of doing each of these things.

Transition is also not permanent. It is a process and you will eventually reach an outcome. That was the mindset I adopted when I moved from Australia to the UK for the third time and I wish I had such a resourceful state more consciously when I moved the first two times. It would have made life much easier! Adopting a resourceful mindset made a huge difference to the weight I put on the uncomfortable situations and I was able to focus my energy on my outcomes.

My message here is that transition can be viewed as a good thing if we direct our energy in the right direction. The next time you find yourself in a transitional state, I invite you to embrace the experience and view it as an opportunity for achieving your personal success.