Turn times of transition into opportunities

Seasons shift, days dawn and sunset, relationships begin and ebb, children grow, technology develops, perspectives alter, enthusiasm waxes and wanes, fortunes increase and shrink. That’s life. And business.

“Life, it seems, is nothing if not a series of initiations, transitions and incorporations,” American folklorist Alan Dundas wrote.

Bigger shifts, like changing a career or moving to a new city are equally exciting and daunting. Consequential changes can be downright scary. It’s natural to like the security of routines and habits. But transition periods are ripe with opportunities for growth, learning and fresh starts. Change your mindset and get over the trepidation by viewing transitions through the lens of opportunity.

Give yourself grace

Transitions can be messy, clumsy struggles. Give yourself permission to fail occasionally and learn from the failures. You’ll be better next time. Progress comes from moving forward one step at a time, after all. Keep your self-talk positive so you don’t get discouraged. Try to deliberately look for the lesson in the failure.
Real-life tip: Practicing mindfulness through meditation or journaling can help you stay present and manage your emotions. Even if you set aside just 10 minutes a day to sit quietly, focus on your breath and observe your thoughts without judgement, you’ll feel a difference.

Break it up

Slicing big transitions into bite-sized chunks makes them so much easier to manage and allows you to view each piece as an achievable individual task. That can open doors to innovative ideas and opportunities.

Real-life tip: Set realistic goals. Setting smaller goals makes them easier to achieve and celebrate. This builds confidence and momentum. For example, when starting a new job, focus on learning one new task at a time rather than trying to master everything at once.

Learn to adapt

You’ve developed a plan and set goals and then … things just don’t go the way you’ve envisioned. That’s upsetting, but it’s OK. Take a few moments to look at and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Then, switch things up. Resilience is the key when there are bumps in the road. Retool your goals and tasks and try again.

Real-life tip: Develop a resilience plan that includes strategies for overcoming setbacks. Identify one or two coping mechanisms, such as talking to a friend or taking a break to recharge. You’ll bounce back more quickly when challenges arise.

Ask for help

Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to seek help when you need it. Relying on mentors, experts and the assistance of others is a strength, not a weakness. Scroll through our blog posts and you’ll see that Scentsy is a big believer in building a community for collective good and the philosophy that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”

Real-life tip: Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded friends, family or colleagues. Create a group of trusted individuals you can turn to. They’ll be honest with valuable insight and uplifting with emotional support.

Learn and grow

Share your top tips for navigating change and transitions in the comments.