Overcoming Transition Challenges for Heart-Centered Leaders
In a previous post on how to make a successful career transition (and how to be assertive and compassionate at the same time), I shared the phases of transition, the difference between transition and change, and the skills needed to go through the transition process. Today, I’ll share with you the three transition challenges that heart-centered and compassionate leaders face, what keeps them stuck, and, how to move on with confidence and ease.
(Before I get started, make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel where I explain this in more detail.)
Transition Challenge #1: Waiting (And waiting, and waiting, and some more waiting!)
Almost from the moment you begin to listen to that transition voice in your head, anxiety kicks in, and questioning begins. “What will I do? Where will I go? Who will I be?” (Don’t worry, this is a normal reaction in such a situation.)
The real challenge takes place soon after anxiety kicks in as avoidance comes right along with it! You stop exploring possible options and spending energy on designing your future. Instead, you avoid it altogether. You take the “wait and see what happens” approach. And, while you’ll stay busy, you won’t experience the full transition your heart is calling for.
Here are some unhelpful avoidance strategies that I’ve seen, and have unfortunately used myself, but which now help my clients overcome:
While the spiritual aspect of life is very important to me and is essential to my work, unfortunately, it can be a huge hindrance, making it unhelpful at times like these.
For example:
- Unhelpful spirituality – It hurts to name it as “unhelpful” because spirituality can be such a powerful source of strength for compassionate leaders. But, when it interferes with your desire to make a transition, it can be a serious obstacle.
- Endless affirmations – Which make you feel good about yourself but which aren’t supported by committed actions.
- Law of Attraction – The practice of “attracting” something in your life that doesn’t include any effort on your part.
- Over-reaching – The reliance on a higher power (or powers), as the only way to resolve your dilemma.
- Unhelpful gratitude – Telling yourself, “I should be grateful for what I have and not want more or ask for more.” (Why not?)
There’s a difference between going with the flow of life and drifting along, getting carried away in different directions, in different ways.
Stop waiting and giving up your power. Start taking consistent actions and both resources and people will begin to align with you.
Transition Challenge #2. Listening to the self-doubt voice and overthinking
In times of transition, the voice of self-doubt will grow from background noise to the opera prima and you’ll hear it loud and clear. This is totally normal, especially if you associate your self-worth with your results.
During all three phases of transition, that insidious voice will loudly demand your attention and present you with different catastrophic scenarios of what will happen as you undertake this new challenge. Self-doubt will make you compare the constant struggle of your journey to those who have seemingly led easy and effortless lives. (Remember “all the other people” ghost from the Impostor Syndrome blog post?)
Do NOT listen! Instead of straying from your path, learn to adjust your expectations and take it one step at a time. Remember, transitions take time!
The power of life force will support you. But! You need to do your part. There’s a difference between just daydreaming about your perfect job and editing your LinkedIn profile, then applying to new positions after doing some research. A properly done research phase leads to a successful launch into new beginnings, not overwhelm and discouragement.
Transition Challenge #3 Excessive self-reliance
Wait, wut? Isn’t self-reliance a leadership skill?
Yes, it is. Unless, like anything else, you take it too far. In other words, it’s a mistake to rely ONLY on yourself during a transition. The truth is, no one does it on their own. Even the most capable amongst us have an entire team supporting them: family, coaches, teachers, friends, fans, etc.
In times of transition, you need to request support and be ready to receive it. The one emotion that can prevent you from seeking and accepting that support – is feeling shame. Once you get to know your shame and can recognize it when it arises, it will lose its grip over you and you’ll get your inner freedom back.
Working with a coach and/or mentor during the times of transition is the biggest gift you can give yourself. You can also reach out to people who have recently gone through a similar process. Their story will provide solace and inspire your journey.
My Experience with Transition Challenges
You see, in addition to working with clients, I have personal experience with facing these transition challenges. Through my multiple transitions in life, including starting anew in the United States, I’ve learned that the more you practice navigating the ups and downs of the transition process the more you learn about it – and about yourself. The more you know about both, the easier it is to go through.
If you’re in transition currently and it feels like a struggle, train to embrace the process. This is a precious time in your life. Keep moving forward one step at a time.
Let’s talk! How do you know that it’s time to make a transition? Post in the comments below – or feel free to connect with me by scheduling a no-strings-attached call.
If you’re in a leadership position and know that you need help with and support in the transition process, I invite you to connect and book a free 1:1 Discovery call with me. You don’t have to do it alone – allow yourself to get support during the transition phase!
Let’s work together and dive into specifics; your goals and aspirations, and, most importantly, how to achieve them. We’ll assess 5 key areas of transition challenges: your self-regard, stress-tolerance, emotion regulation, assertiveness, and influence to create an action plan for each of them.
