Steps, Cliffs, and Bridges

I love the change of season from winter into summer. It’s incredible to watch everything that was brown turn green.  It looks so automatic and effortless.  If only change could be that easy for humans.  We all have things in our lives that we want to change or improve . Yet, so many of us keep doing the same things the same way and then wonder why we’re unhappy.  Why don’t we do something about it?  In my experience it boils down to one of two things: we’re so overwhelmed by just getting through our day to day that we don’t have the energy to make the changes we want to make; or the change feels terrifying –we’re afraid of the unknown. We’re so paralyzed by the fear that we stay stuck where we are even though we’re unhappy.

Making a job, career, or relationship change doesn’t have to feel emotionally like jumping off a cliff. Actually in coaching, it’s quite the opposite.  Making big life changes is like walking across a strong, sturdy, bridge–one step at a time.  I’ve used the bridge metaphor in my own life to go from an office job to a career that is my passion, and I use the bridge metaphor all the time with my clients to help them get from where they are currently to where they want to be.

Coaching builds a bridge by breaking the goal into its smallest and most manageable steps.  Each week the client takes a few steps toward the goal.  Weeks pass, many steps are taken, many objectives accomplished.  They are on the bridge.  The bridge consists of elements of the old behavior, or old life along with elements of the new behavior or new life.  Specifically with regard to career change this would be the time when you’re doing a job for money and working toward doing the thing you love.  Eventually the thing you love will grow large enough to replace the job you’re doing for money.  Making a major career change can mean being on the bridge for a while–and what I’ve learned in my own life is that the bridges are filled with important information.  If you are on the bridge for a very long time, it is because there is much for you to learn and know before getting to the goal.  Time is a teacher and when used correctly can help you to transform into who you need to be in order to have or do what you want in life.

Taking a walk

On Friday, May 7th, I’m going  to take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.  People do it everyday but on this day, I will be walking with a group of workshop participants, clients, and friends.  Each person in the group will be holding their own intention for the bridge that they want to build in their lives or celebrating a bridge that they have crossed. It doesn’t matter what area of life you want to change.  Whether it’s a new career, business, or relationship with someone else or with yourself, declaring an intention is the first step toward making a change.

Every great accomplishment starts with the first step.