Times of transition in life provide you with an opportunity to stop and evaluate your current situation. You can set new goals and priorities for yourself and make choices that reflect who you have become and want to be in the future. This is the time you should dare to dream.
Transitions occur when you find yourself experiencing a sense of discontentment and a sense that life is somehow out of balance. A life transition can occur anytime, but you can be sure, that it is a time of major upheaval. It can be the start of a marriage or a career change. It can be when you are experiencing
empty nest syndrome
as your kids leave home. You may be facing retirement or
coping with the stress of divorce.
Transition always involves change, and change can be difficult. Change turns the familiar into the unfamiliar, which causes feelings of fear and inadequacy as you enter unknown time frame.
To make the most out of a time of transition, assess where you currently are in life, identify what your life long dream is, and develop an action plan. Turn a life transition into a positive, growth experience. Embrace each life transition with gusto!
What is Your Starting Point?
Take an assessment of who you are now, how you got here and define what your best skills and talents are. Write them down. This type of autobiography makes a great reference. It documents the amount of talent and experience you have to offer as you create your new dream life. When writing your assessment, focus on three major items: a brief timeline of your life experiences, who you are in your current life, and what life means to you.
1. Start with a brief timeline, documenting your birth, living locations, schooling, careers, and family living situations.
2. Who you are in life. Describe the type of person you are. Include facts about yourself such as: what types of jobs & responsibilities you have experienced—motherhood, professional career assignment, and volunteer activities. Include the schooling you completed, specific skills you have acquired and your favorite interests. You may find it helpful to complete the
wheel of life exercise
to develop a more visual picture of the way you prioritize your time.
3. What life means to you. How do you see life? Are you happy or sad? Do you have a lot of friends or just a few? How do you fill your days? Are you in a relationship? What are the important usages of your time? How do you relax?
Dare to Dream!
When you consider how to
handle change,
you may think about what other skills, talents, and abilities you can use to make things better. While you have been pursuing certain goals and fulfilling responsibilities that your current life has dictated, your neglected talents have lain dormant. Now, these neglected talents along with your dreams and desires reemerge. Take advantage of this new found interest as you experience your life transition.
It's not too late to dream dreams, to envision a future that accepts reality, yet embraces potential. Dreams are inspired during times of transition. If you are experiencing a life transition, now is the time to dream and consider the potential you want to achieve. Now might be the time to start a new business, write a book, downsize and relocate, or train for a marathon.
Embracing a new life requires the courage to face your fears, change habits that perpetuate the life you have, and acknowledge the dreams you’ve kept suppressed. Be aware of yours longing to do the things you have postponed in your earlier years. Review your written assessment and consider what parts of your life you would like to keep. What should the next chapter of this assessment contain? Write a new chapter outline that clearly depicts your life as you truly want it to be. Keep it focused and positive.
Developing a Life Plan
Passion is a key ingredient in making life changes and attaining your dreams. But passion can not do it alone. You have to channel the passion into a well defined game plan that is realistic to execute. Review the page on creating
SMART goals
to establish a realistic action plan.
Be purposeful in identifying and framing in a positive way an intention such as, “I am a Great Home Organizer” defines the outcome you intend to achieve to be that of starting a business as a home organizer. “I am great at time management” may be the genesis of becoming a time management coach. If your dream is “With an empty nest, I want to downsize,” then you may find positive energy sorting through family possessions and prioritizing what to keep for a smaller house.
Work with a life coach who can hold you accountable. You can contact me and we can talk about some strategies for achieving your goals. Learn more about opportunities to work with me by visiting my
author biography page
and contact me there or visit my
coaching page
and learn the various ways that you can partner with me. As you design your action plan for a life transition, it is helpful to include advisors who offer objective feedback. I look forward to hearing from you.
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18.
Are You Experiencing A Life Transition?
