Resolve to enter the "neutral zone"
With a brand that promotes "career change and success strategies...," you'd think I'd be all over the New Year as a time to make resolutions and embark upon ambitious goals. I'd like to be a cheerleader for easy change, but experience tells me that successful transitions are not governed by the solar calendar. Instead, I'd like to defer to the wisdom of William Bridges, author of Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes.
Bridges makes the argument that transitions start with letting go of what no longer fits in your life - transitions start with endings. Once you know what you don't want to continue, Bridges suggests that you enter the "neutral zone." This is the uncomfortable period when you are confused by all the advice, information, and clues that might lead you to your expected outcome. You might not be surprised to learn that this theory comes full circle with the belief that the transition process concludes with new beginnings.
My point in writing this post is to encourage you to give yourself the time and emotional energy needed to navigate the "neutral zone." For some, the "neutral zone" is so painful that any acceptable relief is preferable. For those who need the "quick fix," it may seem preferable to quit a job, apply for a transfer, or quickly accept another job. These options may relieve immediate pain, but it is unlikely that hasty solutions will guide you through the 5-6 transitional periods of your personal/work life.
Navigate the "neutral zone" the way a paramecium navigates an aquatic environment: take in new information, reach-out to others, ask for feedback, respond to clues, read voraciously. It may not sound like a fun place to be, but with a little help from your friends and a career professional, your investment in this zone should be enlightening, invigorating, and rewarding. There is no perfect calendar date or prescribed length of time for this process: the reward you can expect is a new beginning toward the next stage in your work/life.
