Hi ,
Years ago during my own post-PhD career transition I read a book called Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes. The (simple) argument William Bridges made was that a transition is a psychological process, and one that doesn't line up nicely (usually) with external changes.
That process has three parts: 1) an ending, 2) a period of nothingness or a neutral zone, and 3) a new beginning. All three are crucial to the process.
Some of you may be in the neutral zone right now. It means you might be (for example) over any academic career aspirations you once had, but haven't yet embraced a new direction. In the neutral zone, you might feel like nothing is happening.
Chipper interlocutor: "What kind of job are you looking for?"
You: "I don't know." *stress*
Bridges' argues the neutral zone is critical, that important work is happening that's just not apparent to external observers, or even you yourself. You might be reflecting, researching, analyzing -- all the work in the Prep, Focus, and Identify sections of the course. You don't have to have a new beginning yet. (You don't even have to be in your a new beginning to start a new job.)
My point is wherever you're at might be just where you need to be.
If you want support, coaching, or just to be in community with others who get it, join any of our upcoming live events:
- 5 Oct, 12pm EDT
- 19 Oct, 12pm EDT
- Tentative dates: 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov (to be confirmed)
Best wishes,
Jen
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