subject: A New Decade: New Opportunities For Renewal [print this page] A new year and a new decade arrive, and with them, new possibilities. By most measures, the last decade was not so great. What can we do to make our personal journey through the next decade better?
When we do advanced research for any journey, we explore the possibilities: what MIGHT we find? If we're hikers, we want to have a good idea about a number of key factors. What is the topography? How hilly is the terrain? What weather can we expect, and what temperatures? Where will we start, where will we end up, and how long will it likely take us to get there? In effect, we're exploring a range, a sense of warmest and coolest, highest and lowest, shortest and longest, beginnings and endings, as we adjust our gear and our expectations.
A similar mindset can be a significant resource for personal transition. It is all too human to imagine that, once a course has been set, we will travel in only one direction: forward. However, as in most decisions involving the human spirit, the actual journey is more complex. We are sensitive to input, sometimes on a daily basis. If we think of human change as a journey through transition, it will certainly have elements of physical change, but also psychological and even spiritual alteration. And like hikers, there will be ranges of internal topographical extremes as well.
Frederic Hudson of the Hudson Institute envisioned change as a "renewal cycle" with five stages. It starts with a sense of comfort in the present. We next cycle through an initial phase of discontent and unhappiness, perhaps accompanied by depression and a sense of loss of direction and energy. The next phase he referred to as "cocooning," a fallow period where new ideas grapple with a sense of limited internal confidence ("Will I be able to make this transition?"). The cycle continues when new directions are finally internalized, leading to an energetic and vibrant period during which anxieties are reduced and confidence increases. Finally, there is a return to the original stage of contentment where we feel at peace with our new life experience. And the cycle eventually repeats itself.
Although Hudson's work was originally conceived for one life stage, we actually recycle through these stages in every developmental period. And, interestingly, parts of the cycle may coexist with other phases. For example, we may feel anxious and quiescent at the same time, or confident and anxious within days of one another depending on what external experiences are occurring. Our personal relationships may remain in the first, stable period, while our career is progressing through the other stages. Or vice versa. A full and productive life will include many renewal cycles.
By studying the possible psychological landmarks, we can access our place along the trail. If we have recently been laid off, for example, it is essential to acknowledge the hurt and emotional damage we experience before we can fully mobilize our efforts toward the future. But at the same time, counteracting our sense of defeat is the possibility of developing a new life path which may be closer to our most passionate interests. The right combination of interests and motivational needs, once understood, will energize people much more than constantly trying to re-use the same skill sets.
The major theories of transition are circular and recurring, rather than linear. This is why it is so important to seek clarity as we pursue our dreams for the future. Who are we, and why are we here? What brings us joy, and calls us to timeless intensity?
One way people can help themselves is through either forming or joining a new community of people who are engaged in pursuing the life they choose, rather than feeling constrained by current circumstances. If your style is more solitary than social, perhaps an internet group will do. Creating and maintaining the emotional energy for change requires continual reinforcement, which can come from the mutual support derived from sharing your journey with others. While you will not have the same destination, you are together in this "quest," with both the physical and spiritual dimensions that this word suggests.
Finally, it is important to maintain physical vitality along the way. All transitions involve uncertainty and stress, and exercise has been shown to be one of the very best stress relievers. Exercise, combined with a healthy diet, can help create the physical stamina which complements the emotional energy necessary for navigating life's major transitions.
Here are five summary points to remember about transitions:
1.Life transitions are challenging, multi-dimensional, and cyclical rather than linear. They require perseverance, with a long-term focus on ultimate goals.
2.To identify a new life path which complements your unique personality, focus on your interests and what motivates you rather than on your existing skill set.
3.Emotional energy is contagious. Find a person or a group with a similar mind set to help maintain your focus and energy.
4.Stay focused on the long-term goal in spite of life's diversions.
5.Maintain physical stamina to complement your emotional energy. Both are necessary to navigate transitions successfully.
May your transitions in the new decade lead to personal growth and renewal.
