Change is not Difficult at all. Transition is the Killer

Change is not difficult – Transition is difficult.

It’s not starting something new that is tricky, we are good at that. It’s leaving what’s old and familiar behind that we find painful, messy, awkward or just in the too hard category.

Change is easy…Transitions are hard.

Yesterday you were single, today you are married. Last month you were the MD, today you are the new CEO. The change was made there and then in the moment.

Now you are in transition from being a single person to being a married person or being the MD and now the CEO. You are learning this as you go along.

If you can’t let go – no transition will take place. (You’ll either end up divorced if you carry on like a single person or you’ll get the sack if you can’t lead as the CEO!)

Think of how many times you’ve tried to make a change and how many times you’ve been successful… but then, often, resistance turns us back to our old ways when the going gets a bit tougher.

Next time, even though it might be a bit uncomfortable or unfamiliar, welcome resistance as feedback, telling you that you’re working your way through the transition.

Starting something new is not the first step. It’s the third.

Before we can begin something, we must lose something – that is, we need to first stop and secondly let go of what no longer works. This may be the most difficult part of the change process because it is uncomfortable to feel the loss of something familiar. Facing fear is probably the most critical step in making change work. Ask yourself, “What is it you’re holding on to that won’t allow you to move forward?”

Being in transition means ‘you are no longer what you were and not yet what you will become’. I call this the no mans land. It’s supposed to be uncomfortable, challenging, difficult because you are evolving.

Be easy with that discomfort – it goes with the territory.

Keep the faith… soon enough you’ll be in your comfort zone and you’ll have to start a whole new transition. Enjoy the ride!