Transition is ubiquitous. In other words life is always throwing stuff at us that pushes us into transition - nothing is ever static or the same, especially in these challenging times. I don't know about you, but almost every friend or acquaintance I have has been touched by layoffs, downsizing, outsourcing bankruptcy or just plain bad bosses. They now find themselves in middle-age having to look for alternate employment - and in many cases settle for what we used to call McJobs.
What does it feel like to be a long-term employee who just heard they have lost their job? Many have worked hard for over 25-years. That's a lifetime with friends who have become family - that's hard to give up. What a crushing blow! In some cases folks get escorted out of the building by security guards - how humiliating! I can only imagine what that feels like. I do remember a similar closure at the company I worked for, where one of my team - a woman with over 25 years of service left with her belongings in a green garbage bag. I can't forget that image. I will never forget the tears and the heartbreak.
What does this do for your confidence? Many will go through the normal stages of grief:
Denial:
This didn't happen - I can't believe it!
Anger:
It's not fair - why me?
Bargaining:
What if I can change this? Get my job back?
Depression:
There may be lots of time on the couch in front of the TV.
Acceptance:
This is the stage where you finally realize that you cannot change the situation and this is where you will find the momentum to move on.
Many people 'hit the wall' and never get back up. Over our many years of experience we collect so much training and wisdom, only to end up being marginalized or thought of as past our 'Sell by Date'. What a shame, that our society sees wisdom and experience as 'past it'. I myself have hit that wall on many occasions and even now - hit the wall occasionally. So how do you manage to get up - brush yourself off and keep going?
The first step is taking back your confidence, learning and knowing that you are worthy and that you have an amazing gift to give the world. Every human being has this gift inside. The good news is that there is a road back - there is help along the way. The trick is to keep believing in yourself, even if you can only do it for one day a week, after a while, you will find yourself doing it more often.
Coaching does it for me, whether it is one on one or in a group setting - talking things through with someone really helps.
So, what's your wall?
- Lost your job?
- Stuck for a new idea?
- Business in a slump?
- In trouble at work?
- Single Mom struggling with bills?
- Stay at home mom feeling isolated?
Inside this gift of TRANSITION
there is an opportunity just waiting to be uncovered. It is a new beginning waiting to be unwrapped, with a voyage of adventure and challenge on the other side.
Accept your gift - it's yours for the taking!
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Biography
