New Trails and Paths
Perhaps there is irony in regards the fact that as a transition counselor I am embarking upon a career transition. I am encountering new trails and paths in my career that I have not seen or thought about. Surprisingly, preparing for this change has created more anxiety than I expected. Also not surprisingly, the anxiety I am dealing with is self created. I have no pressure from my new position and have been told there is flexibility in scheduling. In essence, I have the ability to create my job. This is not a place I have been before, as most positions in the past have been established with expectations and rules.
Anytime something changes in life, there is a shift in balance. I shared in my Self Care Saturday post the importance of the Balance Wheel exercise, where one assesses where energy is going to in life and what areas are being ignored. Balance is not easy to maintain and is something we all must continue to practice maintaining. Constant imbalance only leads to discomfort and often pain.
Although often feared, transitions in life should be welcomed. The constant promise of change and transition is that whatever moment we are going through will not last forever. The struggle will eventually be over. The honeymoon period (sadly) ends and brings one back to reality. Each day each of us are changing and are different than the day we were before. Without change, there would be no new life.
The trails and paths of my career are not brand new, they are simply different.
As I approach this new transition in my career, I am filled with gratitude. Life is about exploring different paths and trails. We often have to get off of the path we are on to find the one we are meant to be. True, the current path you are on may be well worn and known but it may not be leading you anywhere. Don’t be afraid to take a different path. Be confident in your skills that you have the ability to walk a new trail and may discover exciting things along your pathway that can not be found anywhere else.
Take a few minutes to consider your own life path. Is your career going where you want it to go? Are you happy in your personal relationships? If the answer is no, what are you doing to find a new trail and path?
Join me and others for Emily’s Grateful Heart Monday! There is always something to be grateful for!
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Definitely needed this today! I’m dealing with the end of my contract at my job and think I’m ready to move on. But change is scary, as you say! I know you will be great in your new position!
I so know how you feel. Look at it that the ending of a contract is a perfect time to make a change. I’m glad this was helpful today!!
I love what you said – “the anxiety I am dealing with is self-created.” Why do we do that to ourselves. I am the biggest self-creator of anxiety. Transitions can be good, but they also create stress in itself. This was a great reminder to embrace change and always have a grateful heart. Linking from Ember Grey’s Grateful Heart.
I think we often create our own anxiety because we are striving to be the best and have such high expectations that we can’t meet them. Any transition means things are not the same and thus we have to learn something new. I’m so glad you stopped by!
Love this, Sheryl, and isn’t it funny- even though we do know these things, it’s so comforting to have these reminders that we’re okay. Whenever I started a new job, I always put these huge pressures and expectations on myself for quite awhile in the beginning, even though no one at the office shared those expectations. (And the whole time I just KNEW I was doing it to myself!) I’ve always been good at taking that leap of faith to something new when my heart tells me it’s time, but then once I get there I need to learn to relax a bit more 😉
Emily, I’m exactly like you. I’ve learned to listen to my heart and inner voice in regards to making decisions but there’s also another inner voice that is a perfectionist. We just have to learn to be kind to ourselves and remember these things.
I recently applied for a new position at work – one that would test me and one I am not completely sure I would be ready for. But I took the leap and applied anyways. I really needed to read this today so that I can calm down and just let things flow as they should. I have no control right now about getting an interview or potentially getting the job, but I just need to stop and know that these transitions are good for the soul…and my career.
Kristyn, you took the most important step of applying for the job. I recently told a friend if she didn’t apply, she would never know if she would get an interview, get an offer or even want it. Taking the first step is difficult but necessary. Yes, transitions are totally scary but they are needed in life. Good Luck! I’m pulling for and thinking of you!
Great post! Luckily, here in KY we have great trails and paths to explore (literally)! Walking them always helps me clear my head and think about the other trails and paths in life 🙂
I so agree – nature can give you a whole new perspective on things.
This is so helpful. I’m heading into a summer where I’ll be in 3 different countries, traveling for a month and then moving to a new country. It’s quite overwhelming, but like you said “We often have to get off of the path we are on to find the one we are meant to be.” I’ve never regretted making such big changes and have learned so much. But changes are still scary! Your advice was definitely needed.
Wow Brittany! I am so happy for you – what an adventure you are going on. I believe we only regret the steps and actions we don’t take. We can always change our mind but we don’t often get a second opportunity for something. Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you found this post helpful.
Congratulations on the new career path! I know what you mean about being scared to try a new trail even if you are comfortable in the one you’re on but it makes you travel around endlessly in circles.
Taking risks can be hard.
Oh yes Diana, we get so comfortable going around in circles sometimes and stopping what we are doing is totally a bizarre concept.
It’s funny how transitions are scary, even when we really want them and know they are the right path…we still feel hesitant! A few months ago I transitioned to a new career path also for my academic business so it could be online. I went back and forth for months about it! I was so comfortable with how things were, but what a blessing it has already been so far!