This one is for all my folks navigating a transition. We’re talking about the phases you’ll go through and how to navigate stage 3 – The Great Unknown Let’s dive in.
Pivots tend to have a few chapters: first, you don’t know what you want to do, or you’re not sure whether you need to make a change. Maybe everything is fine as is.
Then, whether through pain, loss, or inspiration, you choose to start a new chapter. This can be exhilarating and terrifying. Lots of fears come up – doubt you can do it, worry about what others will think, or financial concerns.
Then, if you make it through that phase, your direction becomes clear. This can feel truly euphoric. Blessed clarity has arrived! You’ve got momentum, motivation, and a game plan.
Things feel really good – for a time. You’re confidently strutting towards the future of your dreams until one day, you slow down. The walk gets wobbly. You might think – “Wait – how does all of this work together? Is this idea even good? Does this partnership or project even make sense?!?”
I often compare this phase to impressionist painting. You can sort of tell where you’re going, but it’s blurry.
The good news is, this tension is where the magic happens. Your ability to keep going and to resist the urge to know is what allows creative openness.
When a problem is unresolved, the brain is forced to search for new combinations and unusual associations instead of defaulting to habits. That “stuck-but-curious” state can feel uncomfortable, but it is often where original ideas begin.
Here’s what can be helpful during this phase of the journey:
- Come home to trusting in the process and getting in touch with the part of you that knows this is all going to work out.
- Experiment with taking action instead of fine-tuning your website or LinkedIn again. The more resistance you feel to taking action, the more it might serve you to take it. Clarity tends to come through action.
- Stay in the present moment. Just for today, what to do is likely pretty clear. Take today’s actions and worry about what to do tomorrow, tomorrow.
- Ask that your thoughts, feelings, and actions be guided by the universe, God, or a higher power. Then, trust that you are being guided and take the steps that feel intuitively right to you.
This is an exciting stage! It’s a real achievement to recognize your path and commit to it, even without knowing the final destination.
You can trust yourself, your vision, and the part you feel called to play. Keep going and see how many bold actions you can take by the end of this week. I believe in you, and I know you can do it. You only get access to dreams you can achieve.
Kit
