The next chapter

Over the last few months, I have been working with 1:1 clients who more and more are experiencing a life or career transition. This could be on a personal level (bereavement, separation or divorce) or relate to their career (redundancy, return to work or exploring a new career path). Whatever the circumstance, there is a common theme: the genuine desire to learn, move forward and create a more fulfilling life.

This is a topic close to my heart having becoming a mum to my two wonderful children and also having become my own boss. Going through a life or career transition can throw up so many emotions (fear, anxiety, excitement and positivity…) It can also prompt us to question, our identity and who were are as well as what we want for ourselves.

So if this resonates with you, I invite you to pause, breathe and take stock before looking to reset …

Write a journal and practice gratitude

Coaching is future orientated and solutions focused. Having said that it is so important to appreciate the here and now whilst planning for the future. Writing your own journal externalising your thoughts and feelings in a safe place raises your self-awareness bringing benefits to your health and wellbeing.

There is no right or wrong way of practicing gratitude – have a go and just choose something that works for you. As a family, I encourage the kids at breakfast time to think and talk about what they are happy about, which sets the tone for the day. Some people prefer to reflect on what they are thankful for at the end of the day. How we see the world shapes the decisions we make after all.

Broaden your horizons

I was struck this month by the Action for Happiness calendar for November, which was a really inspiring and practical resource packed full of suggestions for how we can broaden our horizons and try new things. We can find ourselves living on autopilot going from one task to another.

What newness and learning could you introduce into your life to promote your continuous personal growth?

Find clarity of mind

We all know just how easy it is to tolerate things, get distracted and to lose sight of what is important to us. TRACTION comes from FOCUS and FOCUS comes from CLARITY OF MIND. Think about it, if everything is coming at you or you are all over everything you are likely to feel a sense of overwhelm. Prioritising what you are going to do when, doesn’t just come from looking at when something has to be done by and the impact of not doing it … it comes from within and what is important to you. So what are your values (those things we hold dear to us) and how are these changing as you transition to your next chapter?

Some other questions to help you get clarity include:

What is working well in my life?

What is not working so well?

If I could wave a magic wand how would I want my life to look?

Take care of yourself

Easier said than done, I know! Take a moment right now, to think about what self-care means to you and how you are looking after yourself … What can you take from this reflection?

It doesn’t have to be costly in money or time terms but it should recharge and refresh you.

Get support

I love this quote ‘No man is an island’ by John Donne and often refer to it on our popular reinvention workshop. We are far stronger when we work interdependently and support each other rather than always being independent. That isn’t to say we can’t work under our own steam and shouldn't be accountable - we absolutely should! but we can also tap into the skills and support of others, which is powerful and can deliver results. You may choose to join a new social group or perhaps to speak with a close friend. You may decide you want to work with a coach who will empower you to get unstuck, take action and move from where you are now to where you want to be.

So the key steps to successful transition are: self-awareness, challenge and growth.

If you would like to find out more about how coaching can help you to write your next chapter, get in touch today on 07960 855646 or email me at oriel@orielcoching.co.uk to book your FREE 30 minute discovery consultation.