Navigating the Phases of Transition: A Personal Journey
In the midst of my career, I found myself at a crossroads I hadn't anticipated. At the time, I believed everything was going smoothly, despite harboring some dissatisfaction with my current role. I was employed by a company I had long considered my forever home, one where I expected to retire when the time came. Looking back, I can now acknowledge that there had been challenging moments within the company that I had chosen to overlook. However, I've always been the type of person who takes action when things aren't quite right.
One day, seeking guidance on how to progress towards a more fulfilling role within the organization, I turned to someone I respected. Their advice was clear: pursue a master's degree in Organization Development, and do it in what they considered to be the premier program of its kind. Without hesitation, I embraced their suggestion. With the support of my then-boss, I embarked on a two-year master's program at Pepperdine University, with a scheduled graduation date in August 2015. The journey promised to be an extraordinary one, teeming with opportunities for learning, meeting new people, and traveling to practicums in Lyon, France, Costa Rica, and China. I felt like I was on the cusp of a new beginning.
Fast forward to January 2015, and I found myself on the company's annual layoff list. My new Grandmanager, who was my boss's boss, couldn't see the value of my impending OD master's degree for the organization, and I was let go. In that moment, I consoled myself with the thought that this must be the Universe's plan. I would graduate from Pepperdine in August, receive severance income in the interim, and smoothly transition into my new OD role.
However, reality had other plans. I was 59 years old, and I soon realized that making a career transition at this stage of life was more challenging than I had anticipated.
This marked the beginning of my personal exploration of William Bridges' model of transitions, which consists of three stages: Endings, The Neutral Zone, and A New Beginning.
Ending:
During this phase, I experienced various facets of disconnection and disillusionment. I had to disengage from my former role, dismantle my preconceived notions about my career path, disidentify with my old job title, and confront feelings of disenchantment and disorientation. This phase was a time of letting go, which I found to be both emotionally and mentally demanding.
The Neutral Zone:
The Neutral Zone was a perplexing period of uncertainty and ambiguity. It was a time when I had to navigate the betwixt and between, a place where the old had ended, but the new was yet to begin. I felt like I was in limbo, grappling with a sense of loss and a lack of direction. It was during this phase that I began to seek clarity on what my next steps should be.
A New Beginning:
While I haven't reached the final stage of a new beginning just yet, I'm well on my way. This phase represents the emergence of a fresh start, a new chapter in my career. It's a phase of optimism, growth, and transformation, where I'm actively working towards finding a role that aligns with my passions and values.
In my journey, I've also drawn inspiration from the book "Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes" by William Bridges, which has provided valuable insights and guidance on navigating these stages.
As my transition continues to unfold, I'll delve deeper into each stage and share my experiences and learnings. Stay tuned as I explore the intricacies of endings, navigate the neutral zone, and embark on my new beginning.