6 Important Things I Realize about Transition

Source: Sid Mosdell, Flickr
Source: Sid Mosdell, Flickr

Butterfuly cacoon

As life teaches us, transition can painfully be a good thing. Especially when moving from one place to another. I completed my first week in my new place of work and I have to say it was pretty amazing. My purpose in writing this post is to give insight on transition while sharing my personal experience with it…..whew, it’s been crazy!

If you’re wishing or hoping for something, be prepared to get it.

We’ve become so accustomed to hoping, praying and wishing, that we don’t know what to handle what we’ve been wanting when it finally comes. Of course, the best time to prepare for a wish to come true is before it happens. I pictured myself in the new job while I was still at the old one. Not only did it help me in present situation, but I was in a great mindset during my first week at the new job. I wasn’t nervous or anxious, just very excited to be in a new environment. Try it out; you may be surprised at how your confidence level rises!

Let go of the past

I have to admit this was a struggle for me during my first week. I had grown so accustomed to doing more than I should’ve been doing, that I had to  slowly process not being burdened down with extra responsibilities anymore…I would actually get to do the job I was hired to do! Whoa! I was reminded a couple of times of my position and what it entailed. I was also told that I wouldn’t have to worry about all the extra stuff anymore. It was weird. I was so used to doing other people’s work. I’m now in a place that believes in structure and accountability so everyone knows what they’re supposed to do and they have the manning for it.

Accept the experience

Either way the experience goes, it’s a learning process. That was definitely the case before landing the promotion. Now I have to actually “accept” it in mind that this is what it is now. This is what I’ve been wanting and now it’s here. I have to embrace everything that comes with it. A lot of times we get so used to the negative that we become accustomed to it and think that something is wrong if it’s not in the picture. That’s so not the case. Letting go of old baggage and embracing new challenges go hand in hand.

To Whom much is Given, much is Expected

Transitioning always leaves you knowing more than what you knew before. Therefore the expectations will be higher. They should be higher within yourself anyway. Because you’re more knowledgeable now, there should be more productivity whether it’s in a relationship or on the new job. Because I’ve been promoted, there’s a lot more that’s expected of me and I must be able to come through. I have to read more now than I ever did before because responsibility, accountability and leadership is at a higher level. That’s where it can be nerve wrecking, but I won’t spend so much energy being nervous. I have to get and stay up to par with my new responsibilities. That’s just the reality of it.

Don’t be intimidated by the changes

Transitioning encompasses a lot of change, especially within. In my opinion, most people don’t like change. That’s why they’d rather stay in a situation they’re miserable in than step out into a new one. Change can be intimidating, but at times it’s necessary. This is where adaption comes in. Getting accustomed to a new environment is definitely a part of transition.

Plan ahead

Since things are always changing, it’s best to prepare for change as much as possible. I don’t plan on staying on the new job forever. But I do expect to learn and grow in it. I will then take the experience and use it to go to the next level. The previous job definitely prepared me for my promotion. So it only makes sense to take notes now and plan for the future, which is finally starting to brighten up.

 

What are your thoughts on transition?

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