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She had made
choice to leave a comfortable, if somewhat stifling, world behind her, to set sail for a distant shore that she could only see in her heart; and for her that was very frightening.
Anne found being betwixt and between extremely uncomfortable and very anxiety producing. She began to question her ability to succeed, her commitment to her dream, and her overall desire to start a graphics business.
Although she was being encouraged to stay
course by me, as well as by many friends, she also was being pressured by other friends and family members to return to
security of
corporate world. In
end she made
decision to go back to her old job.
The Timing of Decisions Whether this decision was
right one or not isn't really important. What is important is
timing of Anne's decision. She chose to go back to her old job when she was feeling
most scared and vulnerable. And ironically, it is at this very point, when we are at our lowest, that we need to put our full trust in
transition process.
We need to believe that if we keep ourselves open to
experience, and if we continue to move slowly towards our goal, we will eventually sail out of
fog and find ourselves in a new and wonderful place.
But this is a hard leap of faith for some people to make. Anne's decision was not really about her life plan. It was about relieving
discomfort she felt at that time. She was trading in her long-held dream for instant relief from a transitory uneasiness.
Staying one's course in
midst of confusion and doubt can be extremely difficult, but there are things that one can do to successfully navigate any transition.
Tips for Successful Transitions First, before you set sail make sure that you have a strong support network in place. This network can consist of friends, colleagues, a spouse, a mentor, or a coach. Just make sure that they understand what you want and that they are willing and able to truly support you in your journey.
Second, familiarize yourself with
process of transition. The more you know what to expect,
better able you will be to withstand
times of uncertainty. Two of my favorite books on transition are: "The Way of Transition" by William Bridges and "Silver Linings" by Melissa Gayle West.
Third, remember that slow and steady wins
race. Listen to
voice in your heart, not
gremlins in your head. Use your support system when you start to waver.
And finally, always keep your dream in front of you as a constant beacon guiding you through
fog.

Mary Ann Bailey, MC, is a life coach who specializes in helping professionals successfully navigate the challenges of career and life transitions. Visit her website at www.baileycoaching.com to read more of her articles and to receive a free copy of "How to Make the Changes that Will Move Your Life Forward."