Better Transitioning. Better Life, Work & Relationships

Last fall, even before Hurricane Helene stormed down on my Western North Carolina home and community, I was in the midst of many transitions and uncertainties. Then life unleashed more unexpected chaos and I was in a lifequake. Not my first, but as I’ve now learned, my third lifequake experience. 

Life is a great teacher, right?! (eye roll here too)

I’ve learned a lot along the way (still learning!) since my first 2 lifequakes. The first 2 uprooting massive transition experiences were stepping stones in my journey. Because of those, I searched to find healing and empowering ways, tools, teachers and support.  I am grateful for those experiences, hard as they were. They changed me, my values and choices.

If you’re in a transition, or about to be, I suggest listening to an impactful Ted Talk by Bruce Feiler. (link here) And, transitions happen normally every 18 months to 2 years, and may last 2-5 years.

Bruce’s talk was a resource share from my Transition Intelligence certification program by the Modern Elder Academy’s staff. Bruce discusses the term ‘Lifequake’ and the 3 stages of a transition

3 TRANSITION STAGES. LIFEQUAKES

Bruces’s Ted Talk (link) on transitions is eye opening. He notes a life transition puts us back on our toes. A Lifequake, or multiple life transitions in life, work and relationship, is a physical blow.

There are 3 stage, phases in a transition: Long Endings, Messy Middle, New Beginnings

                  These are non-linear. In life, work and relationships

                  We have one phase we’re best at (look at your history)

                  We have one we get stuck on (look at your history)

WHERE DO YOU GET STUCK? WHERE NOT?

With Messy Middles, 50% don’t do this well.  Don’t like messy middles and get stuck. With Long Endings, 4 in 10 don’t like, and get stuck in long goodbyes.

MOVE THROUGH TRANSITIONS BETTER – IN LIFE, WORK, RELATIONSHIPS

1)        Learn your transition Superpower phase -  we gravitate to the phase we are best at.

2)        Learn your transition Kryptonite phase - we get stuck in the one we are weakest at.

3)        Explore and discover your hidden ‘stuckness’ patterns and drivers. Your fears.

SURVIVE, NAVIGATE AND THRIVE BETTER IN UNCERTAINTY

·      Do your Inner Work. Find and mine your superpower gifts and hidden shadows To get clarity and unstuck.

·      Become, create and manifest what’s in you, wanting to be discovered if you’re ready to do the hard work.

·      Create your impactful Outer Work. Make a difference. Create your legacy.

·      Act with intentional action, agency.

·      Move forward through transitions better and faster to create new beginnings in life, work and relationships.

Curious on trauma-healing support? I can be a healing support resource. I’m a SE (Somatic Experiencing) trained practitioner (Advanced Level certification process) and a transition and growth coach. I’m currently accepting new SE clients. Please email me to connect for information, scheduling, or questions at susan@intentionalgrowth.org.