Change vs Transition

"There is a time for departure, even when there's no certain place to go." -- Tennessee Williams

The words change and transition are often used interchangeably. In truth, they have very separate and different meanings.

Change is a one-time occurrence: we change jobs, change clothes, change living arrangements. Change is a shift from one person, place or thing to another.

Transition is the ongoing process of dealing with a change. Transition is letting go of how things were and embracing how things might become. Transition is a shift from one state of being to another.

Change can be self imposed or imposed upon us. Buying a new home is usually a change we impose upon ourselves. Moving into the new home is the change. Learning to let go of the way things were is the transition. In moving to a new home this could be dealing with a new route to work, missing our old neighbors, learning to use new appliances. Until we are comfortable with the new and willing to let go of the old we are in transition.

The death of a loved one is a change imposed upon us. Not only did we not choose the path we are on, but also we aren't even sure if we can see a path. We are confused, frightened and sometimes feel powerless to accept the change thrust upon us. We can't move because we are unable to let go of the past and can't see what might be ahead. As we learn to accept that the old is no more and that we must embrace the new, we are in transition.

Sometimes transitions are not created by change (or at least not by change we can identify), but, by an internal shift in our being: a shift that tells us something is different in the way we feel about certain people, places, or things. Transition can sometimes precede change. When we decide to look for a new job, we don't just wake up one morning and decide to make a change. Rather, it is usually an idea that has been formulating for some time (transition). We may have been unhappy in our job for a long time, wanting more responsibility, a higher salary, a new boss or even a new career path. When we have accomplished the "idea" time we are ready to make a change.

So far it looks as if our lives are in a continuous stage of transition and they are. With that said, it is important to develop the skills to live in transition. Transition periods can be the most productive periods of our lives, if we understand that letting go is not dismissing what has happened. Transition is, instead, the period in which we accept what has happened and we search for the path to follow forward. That search can lead us to new and creative ways to live our lives.

About the Author

Beth Densmore is a Personal Life Coach who offers support, inspiration and motivation to those who are in transition and want to achieve a goal. For more information and more free articles like this, visit her site at http://www.newfocuscoaching.com.

Authors Note
Feel free to use this article for your web-site or e-zine as long as it remains unaltered (including the "about the author" info), and you send a copy of your reprint to beth@newfocuscoaching.com.

---

Could You and Your Business Benefit from a Business Coach or a Consultant?

The surprising answer is "probably". Most individuals don't realize that a certified business coach or business consultant can add enormously to their home based or more traditional... Read More

5 Steps to Derail Difficult People - Your Surefire Way to a Peaceful Resolution

That one guy at work that always has to be right; your buddy's wife who can't eat anywhere they serve burgers, or the monster-in-law, I mean mother-in-law,... Read More

What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!

Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to your primary focus. Your destiny is guaranteed, when you repeatedly, decree a seed. How can I make... Read More

Budda In Your Back Pocket

The other day I was late for something. Not very late. In fact, I was actually on time but an angry voice berated me anyway, saying, "You... Read More

Executive Coaching -The Business Benefits

Executive coaching is an investment for you and your business and you need to understand what returns you will get. How exactly will you benefit from it?On... Read More

Make a Decision and Take Action!

How are you progressing with the goals you set yourself this year?Have you made a start? Or are you still thinking about it or caught the very... Read More

Trust In The Moment, and Trust In Yourself

Do you often get yourself upset and feeling less than fully confident, as part of your preparation for facing a daunting challenge? You can improve your performance... Read More

Is Your Attitude Destroying Your Health?

A positive attitude may bring good health and success. If you have ever read any book about success you will discover how an optimistic attitude will keep... Read More

Tame The Financial Beast

Are holiday bills surprising you? Are you hoping that if you ignore your finances long enough, maybe they will fix themselves?Let's liken our finances to a garden.... Read More

Guilt: Is it Getting in the Way of Your Self-Care?

When Do We Usually Feel Guilty? When:We're not feeling ok about who we are.We're not feeling ok about the choices we're making.We haven't met our own expectations.We... Read More

Diverse Marketing Strategies for Those Living with Disabilities

Imagine yourself as the only means of financially supporting you. A little scary isn't it? In today's economy, it is difficult living on a single income. This... Read More

Cause and Effect! Choose a Path

Three steps to your Personal Transformation:Awareness and PerceptionLaw of Cause and EffectLaw of AccumulationThese categories are what you need to understand in order to be in total... Read More

Your Personal Treasure Chest

Sometimes it is helpful to review several of the basic components of THE ENCHANTED SELF. That's what I've decided to do this time.Discovering your ENCHANTED SELF is... Read More

Business Coaching Legacy: Reflections on What You Want to Leave Behind?

Updating my will has been on my mind for quite some time now. Life circumstances change, kids grow-up, financial situations changes. I procrastinated for a very long... Read More

God, Grant Me Patience.....And, I Want It Now!!

Are you facing a difficult time in your life? Do you feel like a fish out of water? If today was a fish, would you want to... Read More

Attitude

What makes attitude so important? Why not just learn some "seduction techniques" to get the girl? The answer is simple: learning techniques (or having expensive clothing and... Read More

You Are Never Trapped!

"The meaning of life is that it stops." -Franz Kafka (1883-1924)A good friend of mine graduated from Boston University Law School. At her commencement David E. Kelly... Read More

Making Changes in Your Personal Life

Making changes in your personal life can be a tough process. Change starts with a thought. It cannot begin without one. However, what we think and dream... Read More

Make Progress Now: Take the Hand Brakes Off Your Life!

Do you find yourself striving upward in life yet making little or no progress?Are you high on activity but low on achievement?Very clearly, it's time to stop,... Read More

Keeping Your Anger Under Control

In my work with individuals and couples, I see many people who have a difficult time expressing and managing angry feelings. Let's take a look at what... Read More

Business Coaching - Ten Ways of Dealing with Mistakes You Made

You can either choose to dwell on what happened and get stuck in the past or you can choose to start using your energy to build your... Read More

Identify Your Two Rich Horses

The naked truth of person is that we are still slaves to our mind; means we are still a "bounded slaves" to our mind. The use of... Read More

7 Destructive Habits of Incompetent People

WARNING! If you want to have a fantastic life, never engage yourself in these 7 deadly habits that incompetent people do. NUMBER 1 - They Think, Say,... Read More

Going On a Mental Diet

Diets are always in style. Every time you turn around, someone is coming out with a new and improved diet. The latest craves are the Atkins Diet,... Read More

Success Coaching - What Bill Gates and You Should Have In Common

He was just a teenager, but he was already displaying the powerful habits that would one day make him a billionaire.I had to dart down to Atlanta... Read More

4 Ways To Avoid Looking Stupid When Making Small Talk

The fear of saying something silly and feeling embarrassed stops many of us from contributing more to discussions at work and when we are relaxing with friends.And... Read More