Change is situational. Transition is psychological. What makes change successful is how we move through the three phases of transition defined by William Bridges: Letting Go, the Neutral Zone, and the New Beginning.
Last year was a year of transition for me. Circumstances made me reconsider staying on in a corporate career of 23+ years, but this time a voice within, first a nudge, then a shout, said, “It’s now or never. Do something of your own.” That’s when I remembered Tarot card 0, The Fool: new beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a leap of faith. Very far from risk-averse me.
Letting Go
Was the transition easy? Nowhere even close. But I gave myself time to process. I was very aware of, and accepting of, what I was letting go: routine, team, set goals, the monthly paycheck, coffee breaks, lunchtime, team wins, paid leave, and more. Once I was able to verbalize, it became possible to quiet the endless mind chatter. I felt in control, acknowledging the loss and telling my mind, “I am aware of it.” It felt like disarming my mind of all ammunition, and it was liberating.
The Neutral Zone
Then came the Neutral Zone. Should I work from home or from a co-working space? Should I have complete flexibility, or a set, non-negotiable routine? Decision after decision crossed my mind. The old was long gone, and I was yet to find my feet in the new. The mind I had learned to quiet now had nothing to hold on to. I challenged myself to break out of my patterns: a high need for structure, checklists, stability, discomfort with ambiguity, and more. I realigned myself, and new patterns emerged. Living with ambiguity taught me to slow down: one day at a time, next four-hours at a time. It taught me to be okay with seemingly non-productive days, because they are not truly non-productive. They have a purpose too. We just can’t see it through the productivity lens we always wear.
I experimented with new ideas, shelved some, and picked up and worked on others. Work started coming through word of mouth. Friends, acquaintances and ex-colleagues reached out, and momentum built. I completed my ICF PCC accreditation and narrowed down my coaching niche.
The New Beginning
I have always identified myself with my work. I have now found a new identity: The WorkLore, “One story at a time.” We believe that you are more than just your story. The WorkLore designs bespoke engagements built around the unique context. I work from a co-working space. I put in solid, meaningful hours, immersed in reading, upskilling, designing, client calls and meetings. I feel extremely content living my vision: co-creating purposeful work through intentional change, deeply lived.
The Fool’s card did pay off in the end, giving me a new beginning.
My takeaways from Bridges’ transition framework
- Letting go is important.
- Verbalizing the loss is important.
- Not all losses are negative.
- Creativity happens when you give yourself time.
- Ambiguity opens new doors.
- You don’t need to know all ten steps.
Which phase are you in right now: letting go, the neutral zone, or the new beginning? If you are stuck, begin by naming what you are leaving behind. If you would like a thinking partner, let’s connect and unfold one story at a time.