Setting Your Sights On a New Beginning

By John Allen Mollenhauer, JAM
Some years ago, I read one of the most pivotal books of my life, and one of the top 50 books of all time called “Transitions” by William Bridges. I was going through a tough time that somewhat paralleled the challenges of 2020 and was having a particularly rough time with changing and establishing a new momentum.  I think that experience is relevant, meaningful, and actionable for us now.

No matter what happens in the election, how hard you’ve been hit or how well you’ve thrived in 2020 thus far, how well things may be going in your personal life, or not; this article will give you a game plan for your new beginning. 

​The “transition” that you are in right now.
 
In a sentence, and to quote William Bridges, “The difference between change and transition is subtle but important. Change is something that happens to people, even if they don't agree with it.” I would add that it is a process that any one of us can enter into in our lives to improve our present situation or circumstance.

He goes on to say,  “a transition, on the other hand, is internal: it's what happens in people's minds as they go through change. Change can happen very quickly, while transition usually occurs more slowly.”
 
For example: we can all relate with the fact that COVID 19 forced many changes, some to us, and some that we chose consequentially, and quickly. Although, many people did not agree with, like or adapt to such changes well. Internally, they had to go through a transition process.
 
If you are like most people, you probably need to make several changes and improvements right now in your life, and would ultimately benefit from learning how to optimize the structure of your life, your lifestyle and your goals so that you have the alignment you need to achieve your goals and live with more of the qualities of life that you want.
 
But, have you ever wondered why, despite your capacity for quick action, the changes you want to see happen, don’t happen as fast as you want?

It’s because you are (psychologically) going through a transition; and of course, depending on the type of change you want and need to make, your present situation and circumstances; some changes will take longer than others. And without enough energy and momentum, the right mindset and skillset, too many of us give up on the process.
 
The Ending of 2020
 
In the last two-three months, you are going to see an epic flurry of marketing around the typical setting of resolutions for 2021. This would be a regular happening for any new year, but following what many have experienced as a tragic, decimating and isolating kind of year, which in a twist of fate has also had many amazing silver linings if you had set your sights on them; this year, I anticipate new resolutions for 2021 will be at least heightened and likely off the charts.
 
We are all looking  for a new beginning, a new season of life to take hold in our lives. And it’s in that spirit, that I am penning this article in October, not December.
 
As a Performance  Lifestyle® Coach, who trains entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals on how to manage their energy like the pros do, and ultimately optimize the way they live for more energy, dramatically improved health and higher performance; making changes and understanding “transitions” is very important.
 
You see, when we experience change, especially when forced upon us, most are driven straight to the new beginning. Come January, this, like all prior years will be no exception. But without first going through the ending (letting go) and neutral phases (the bridge between the old and the new) of a transition, in a determined and thorough way; your new beginning will stall.  

                                                                You can learn more the transition model here.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, said “Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great.”
 
It’s challenging to start anew when we are still enmeshed in the past, and caught up in the psychology, and emotions, situation and circumstances of the past, whether they be relational, financial, or strategic... let alone, when you are in a depleted state, with health consequences.

All of that is going to undermine your performance, because when you haven’t yet resolved your situation and circumstances, and you are still mired in the earlier stages of a transition; it’s harder to evolve and achieve your goals. You are distracted and this holds you back.
 
Sure, in some circumstances you can simply let go and move forward without a hitch; the neutral zone is relatively short, and you can go straight to the new beginning. But not all changes are like that. It’s the ones that are truly palpable in our lives and tied to expectations and financial obligations, that are habitual and deeply ingrained that require we go through all three stages consciously, deliberately, and proactively.
 
So, as we are head into the thick of the 4th quarter and you hear quips in conversation like “this year can’t end soon enough;” don’t be so quick to leave 2020 in the rear-view mirror only to focus on what will be weak resolutions at the start of the new year. Go through the phases of a transition away from what you need to let go of, and be ok with the neutral zone, so that you can enter a genuine new beginning.
 
If you don’t, chances are you will still be in those ending and neutral phases for a significant portion of 2021 and that can cost you and the company around you, more.
 
Decide to RESOLVE the hidden lifestyle / challenges that are distracting and holding you back so that you can enter into the new year (even if it’s not exactly on day 1) with your new beginning already emerging.  Depending on your present situation and circumstances, and regardless of events like COVID-19, which  no doubt affected everyone; you are in your own unique transitions in the place that you are.

With this insight, start from where you are right now.
 
So, what are you holding on to (I.e. story, habit, situation, or circumstance...) that is preventing you from moving forward?
 
The sooner you resolve what’s causing excessive stress or the wrong kind, the faster you can evolve with a new lifestyle mindset and an improved skillset to achieve your goals.
 
You hear  the phrase “set yourself up for success” a lot these days; well NOW IS THE TIME to do just that. 2021 starts now in the same way your morning starts the night before.
 
Be proactive about this.

1. Schedule a confidential call and potentially a meet up with me (virtual or in person) to help you discover and better understand your present situation and circumstances, so you know what essential transitions and changes lie ahead and how to make them efficiently and effectively without wasting any time.  
   
   
2. Subscribe to my Change Hero Challenge and make The 3 Crucial Changes For Challenging Times for more energy, dramatically improved health, and higher performance. This challenge doesn’t end until you’ve made all of the essential changes you need to thrive.
   
   
3. Join me for the 8-week Manage Your Energy Course so that by the time 2021 kicks off you have the energy and momentum for your new beginning. Game Changer!

I, like you, want to achieve ambitious goals in 2021, but we need to be clear that achievement starts where you are here and now. This past year, to quote my business coach and Chamber member Carl Gould, was a “winter” and while it may be a slower than usual “thaw”, the season of new beginnings, your “Spring” is coming!
 
Be ready.

~ JAM
 
John Allen Mollenhauer “JAM” is an expert at helping driven entrepreneurs and business professionals achieve more through a high-performance lifestyle that is both balanced in its breadth and depth, and healthy; achievers who feel distracted and held back in their business, maybe even their life because they don’t have the zest and zeal they used to, the support, and or clarity they need to succeed in the way or at the level they want. You can learn more about Working with JAM here.