Lets look at the cycle of change. Several mentors, business people, religious leaders and authors have noted that there is some predictability to change. It may seem odd that change is predictable. Understanding the change process helps us to see where we are in the change cycle and when we are most likely to be successful at change. Ive chosen one model of change by Frederic M. Hudson & Pamela D. McLean from their book Life Launch. These authors have called this change process the Renewal Cycle. You can easily understand where you are at in your Renewal Cycle. Hudson and McLean mention there are four stages in the renewal cycle: Stuck in the Doldrums; Cocooning; Getting Ready for the Next Chapter and Going for It. STUCK IN THE DOLDRUMS - The first signs that you are ready to change are the vague feelings of dissatisfaction, of feeling trapped or unappreciated. You become increasingly negative, you have feelings of anger, sadness or anxiety. You know longer like where you are in some or many areas of your life even though you may have taken years to create this life. Something is changing. You are outgrowing your old life, much like a butterfly in a chrysalis. You have a choice. You can stay there without changing anything. This often leads to resentment, aging and physical health problems. This is not the outcome YOU want. COCOONING The next process is a cocooning stage. You move inward and reassess what you value. You begin to daydream about what you really want at this time of your life. This may feel like the dark night of the soul. You dont yet have a direction, yet you know you cant stay where you are. You ask questions, you rage against the sky; you wonder if you will ever feel alive/passionate/juiced up again. Yes, dear one, you will. The work you are doing now will lead you to your new beginning. GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER - Now its time to get ready for your next life chapter or even novel. You explore what else you can do. You attend workshops on creating better relationships. You hire a Coach to explore what new possibilities are out there, where you can use your experience/knowledge and blend it into a new exciting opportunity. You may go back to school or take additional training. You network with others who are engaged in the kind of life you want to build. You feel a new sense of joy, enthusiasm and youth. Youre ready to take the next step. GO FOR IT - You now are committed to your new direction. You are positive again. You feel like there is new life in your veins. You are excited, energetic and hopeful. You have set ideas in motion for your personal and professional life. You set positive goals and you create what youve dreamed of. Its important to realize that this four-phase process will occur several times in your life. Once youve achieved the goals and dreams in your going for it phase, you will eventually want and need a new challenge. Then the Renewal Cycle begins again. You may also have mini transitions along the way. These transitions are not quite so difficult and usually dont call for a whole life change. Remember that these change cycles are not only normal, but are desirable and healthy. This renewal cycle is what keeps us fresh, involved, youthful, interested and interesting. |
