At best, significant change is challenging. Let’s look at a template for life’s transitions.
A Midlife Crisis
My midlife was preceded by seven lean years. That is, years in which I struggled to make any meaningful progress in my career.
Actually, there were some occasional ups, but mostly there were downs. Especially in regard to finances.
Ok, now what?
Well, it was past time for that hard question to myself: “How’s this working out for you?” Fact is, I already knew the answer.
After some time for reflection, my wife and I settled on a path for a midlife career change that involved timeout for graduate school.
Don’t forget the observation: “What got you here will not get you there!” Thus, continue to grow personally and professionally. proverbsforprofessionals.net
A Template for Life’s Transitions
For me, the stages of that career transition were fairly common: failure, reframing, intentional change, renewed purpose, and finally abundance.
1). Failure: It’s is easy to diagnose – – we hit a brick wall, thus realize we’re not a fit for where we are. We must take responsibility for our life outcomes. What to do next? Put on different “glasses” by reframing how we view ourself and our possibilities for a different life.
2). Reframing: When we see ourself through the lens of new possibilities, we envision dramatic new opportunities for ourself rather than to stay mired in anxious cares that come with failure.
3). Intentional Change: Those new possibilities demand intentional change on our part. That change may be retraining, an entirely different career path, or consideration of a risk we otherwise would never take. That messy middle of intentional change can take a while. Why? Because no one is an overnight success. There will be incremental failures and setbacks during a period of intentional change.
4). Renewed Purpose: As we step out of the early stages of a life transition, and as we envision who we can become, we develop a renewed sense of purpose for our life. Therefore, a transformed WHO positions us for a renewed WHY!
5). Abundance: Over time, we grow in our self-confidence, in a sense of deep fulfillment, and in clarity about the impact our life is having on others. We are truly enjoying an abundant, overflowing life as we define success authentically.
Again, how long will this process take? You tell me how quickly you’re able to pivot after a life setback, and how far you’re able to grow professionally and personally, and I’ll answer that question!
The Role of Wise Behavior
According to Proverbs 1.3, one of the outcomes of knowing wisdom is the ability to behave wisely.
Our growth in traits such as discernment and experiential insight fuel that wise behavior.
After David killed Goliath, he was an instant celebrity, as we read in First Samuel 18.7. In the face of this success, David “behaved himself wisely”, First Samuel 18.5 and following.
The connection between Proverbs 1.3 and First Samuel 18.5 is that the same Hebrew word translated “behaving wisely” is used in both verses.
My point? Regardless of our life circumstances, as a success or a failure, we must behave wisely if we’re to successfully navigate life transitions.
Apply This Today!
Life challenges, in the form of failures and setbacks, are inevitable. However, our wise response to those challenges is not inevitable. As such, we must be intentional about reframing and then envisioning new opportunities for ourselves.
Life’s transitions are hindered by our blindness, stubbornness, and fear. When we fear growth, as well as the discomfort and risks that come with growth, we keep ourself trapped right where we are!
Life’s transitions can occur at a point in time when we make a choice to become someone we currently are not. But, our continued growth demands that we pursue transformation continually, else we get trapped – – again.
Our self-image becomes stronger as we navigate a dramatic life challenge. Consequently, our confidence and executive presence are important byproducts of choosing to grow out of a significant life failure.
I’m 30+ years out from my midlife crisis described in this post. Truly, it’s much easier to discuss those events looking back than when I was struggling to make the transition decades ago!
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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