By Jerry E Durant
Change has a good and a bad side. While matters may be unpleasant, we may find ourselves a bit reluctant to participate in or accept change. At the same time most, people want change to move from boredom into a fresh new existence. To be a part of change involves the act of transition, referred to as the silent “T” because the word gets uttered, but the focus remains fixed on change.
In the world of commerce transitioning is often disruptive and marks significant events that reflect substantial transformation. Who would have thought that such events would take us to a digital economy and life? But change, and the contemplation of transitioning is a regular and repeated event throughout our personal life.
Our abilities to transition, at a personal level, require deep levels of commitment that can run in conflict with conditions that presently exists. As you move from a child dependent upon the parents, to independence the element of transition is involved. As we move from single to married life, and from a world as a couple to one as parents we are again confronted by making transitions. Later in life we will become empty nesters and transition from working to retirement the ongoing cycle continues one of you become alone again.
So, what is transitioning, it’s the profound understanding of current and outcome states. The planning for the change is a part of it but it is also an awareness that with change comes a shift in thinking, expectations, and newly discovered events. For many transitioning becomes more of a case of dealing with the given condition without consideration given as to what it will mean. Unfortunately, we trick ourselves into believing that all the steps we might follow to change will facilitate transitioning. This is only in part; the real transitioning activity involves contemplative consideration for how the journey and the destination will be reached. AND if we have done a remarkable job, we might even get a glimpse beyond the goal.
How do we know if we are on the right track with transitioning? It starts with a careful examination of the present (with its good and bad points), appropriate consideration for the value and effectiveness of change activities, and a simplistic appreciation for goals. One of the biggest mistakes is to think on a grand scale, grow it to a level which maintains control over events (many of which are apt to be unexpected in the way they materialize).
In conclusion, whether you are moving from a stage in life or advancement of a commercial service it is imperative that we do a diligent job at change management and control. But not withstanding it can all be for not if we don’t soundly examine and understand the importance of transitioning. Timing is everything and responsible goals are the orders of the day.