Transition in an Unlikely Place

DEALING WITH FEAR

Fear of the unknown is a great motivator.

Have you ever been in a situation at work, where you've been asked to give an important presentation, and you fear that, if you do not deliver, you will damage your reputation? I’ve experienced my share of fear over the years, and I’ve come to realize that preparation is a great tool when facing fear.

So, when the opportunity to join friends on a dive trip (insert fear) in Mexico came up, I dove right in. I looked forward to relaxing and reconnecting. However, deep down, I was just a little apprehensive about the thought of being 75 feet under water.

And that’s what most transitions are about… that internal voice seeking something different… often unconsciously. On the outside, it might be a new job, a new environment, a new hobby, or wearing a different pair of socks. The form of your transition can be vastly different. What really counts is how that transition can bring about the transformation you need.

WELCOMING A NEW PERSPECTIVE

My time with my friends restored me in many ways. But it was the new activity we pursued, one that profoundly changed my perspective, that transformed me.

Enter scuba diving

Spurred by the boundless enthusiasm of the only deep water diver among us, I was literally dipping my toes into a potentially life endangering activity I’d never done before. I was a little hesitant and aware that what started out as a quick get together was soon becoming a much bigger and deeper experience than I’d imagined.

Literally speaking

When one is exchanging an environment of breathing in the air above water for the environment of breathing air while under the water, the revelation that “this transition is transforming me” was literally in my face.

Figuratively speaking

But transition can also be less obvious. Mine involved overcoming the fear of the unknown. How will I react deep under the surface? Will I panic? Will I be scared? Will it be dark down there? Will I enjoy myself? What can go wrong? Will my impending sense of panic ruin the dive for the other divers?

Uncertainty swirled around my head and I questioned If I really wanted to take the leap. I needed the comfort of being informed. I found an online training portal about deep sea diving and became more excited with each layer of learning. They say knowledge is power and in this case it certainly was.

diving into the Unknown

One of the biggest causes of anxiety in transitions is the unknown. This is especially true in the sport of diving. The downside of not handling a stressful situation is abundantly obvious in the physical sense. If you are not prepared, mentally and physically, death is a very real possibility.

However, thankfully, the sport requires certification to participate. From our first training dive in a controlled environment--a swimming pool--to the calm yet strict instruction from our dive professional, I experienced my own transition from uncertain to confident.

GAINING NEW PERSPECTIVE

When the day of the first open water dive came, everything about diving was becoming second nature. I loved it! Without even realizing it this transition transformed me into a better version of myself. My perspective changed. I had overcome and experienced something that I never would’ve thought possible. To go from breathing in the open air to continue breathing under water (through a tank of course) is really an amazing experience.

The preparation and training from my expert scuba dive master removed my fear. When the moment came there was only pure excitement to experience all of the underwater wonders that this new world had to offer.

It is often from gaining a new perspective that we can appreciate our transitions, however big or small. A new perspective can bring meaning and transformation to our lives. By creating a new perspective for things to be seen from, others might have the joy of seeing what you see.

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The purpose behind Executive Balance

I created Executive Balance as a vehicle for me to give back in servitude. The problem was simple: how can I restore that balance in my life while at the same time capitalizing on my executive leadership experience.

My goals were simple: Give back time to my family and personal relationships that I had neglected over the period of working 60 hour weeks for 30 years; give some of my energy and talents to my community through volunteering and working with non profit organizations, and give back my knowledge and experience to my profession through coaching and consulting.

I solved the first two goals through my commitment and intention by devoting 1 workday each week to my family and community. Executive Balance allows me to help busy and stressed executive leaders balance their purpose, profits and people.

Creating Executive Balance has turned out to be the most important work I am doing right now. Nothing is more important than helping others balance life and work in the midst of tremendous change we are all facing.

GETTING INTERVIEWED FOR A NATIONAL BUSINESS PODCAST

A national business podcast--Business RadioX--became aware of the work I was doing and contacted me for an interview on their program called "Coaching the Coach".

Preparing for the interview allowed me to revisit the values and ideals I originally formulated for Executive Balance. After digging deep to reaffirm my values, goals and purpose, I knew it would become a key element of the discovery process I lead with my clients.

The interview itself was exciting and exhilarating in that it gave me a platform to express some personal thoughts on the value of the coaching profession. Lee Kantor was a true professional and handled the interview expertly.

What kind of transition are you facing?

There are many types of transitions. Some are personal, some professional, and some are external or environmental. We as human beings are in a constant state of transition. Some transitions are easier than others. And SOME, we need help working through. Here are examples of some more common transitions to consider as you think about where you are in your life:

Environmental – moving, downsizing
Career – new job, career
Relationships – marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a loved one
Family/parenting – empty nesting, caregiving
Health – new illness, recovery, related to family members
Finance – Windfalls (inheritance, lottery), bankruptcy
Spiritual – changing religion, new beliefs
Personal Development – sabbaticals, retreats, reflection
Fun & Enjoyment – new interests, giving up current activities due to injury

Transition Coaching

My transition coaching practice is designed to foster a coach/client partnership to help my clients envision, clarify and get to where they want to go. Finding a solution to the transition is not always the goal. Understanding the transition and using it to educate, inform and mobilize your intentions and actions will (1) reduce the stress introduced through the changes you’re experiencing, (2) shift your mindset to welcome the myriad of transitions that make up your life, and (3) open up a world of innovative thinking about your possibilities moving forward.

Getting Clarity

As your coach or consultant I can help bring clarity to your situation and your options. We’ll develop a plan of attack to help guide you through your transition. My background as an executive leader, combined with the skills I’ve demonstrated to become a Certified Professional Coach along with the International Coach Federation Associate Certified Coach distinction, I can help you discover how your current transitions can be used to build your on-purpose life, the one you always intended.