Insight for Smart Living

Empowering Visionary Youth

Navigating Transitions Successfully

Life is full of transitions. We all experience moments in life when we have to make transitional changes. Right from birth to our final resting, it’s all about transition. It’s the transition from the womb to the world, from the bassinet to the crib, from home to school, from high school to college, college to career and so on. The successful navigation of transitions is a tough thing. Transitions can either lead to an abyss or bliss. It all depends on how you handle it.

Transitions are difficult. Understanding the three elements of trnsition is the key to moving on. These are closure, limbo and advancement.

Closure signifies the end of one stage. It is the point at which we have to let go of the former. Many people have a hard time handling closures but it is important to understand that everything changes. That knowledge itself guarantees you two-thirds of the victory during transitions. The other third is found in understanding the other two elements.

The second element is limbo. This is a trying time because you haven’t quite moved out of closure and are yet to experience the new thing. The most important skill here is that of letting go of the former. New attitudes have to be shaped. New concepts need to be grasped. If this is done well, then your progress to the third element of transition – advancement – is secure.

Advancement is when you have completely put behind the old and have successfully navigated your way to a better life. At this stage, you can look back and say, “Wow! I’m glad I made that change!” May your transitions be fruitful! 

August 17, 2007 - Posted by Herman Najoli | Winning | | 3 Comments

3 Comments »

  1. Really good post… I’m in a transition period.. and have been this entire year really – mini ones and bigger ones. And sometimes I’ve been frustrated because I haven’t appreciated that there are stages to change and transition. You can’t rush them, but your success depends on how you handle them. You have to let each stage, particularly the closure and limbo stages, play out. That’s very important because without those you cannot move successfully into making a full transition.

    Comment by Lola | September 4, 2007

  2. Hi Lola… Great observation. You have to let all the stages play out. Life is very much like the seasons. One season transitions into another. Nature is smooth in it’s transitions. That’s how it’s supposed to be for us too but we have too many cares and worries. Great philosophers throughout history have encouraged us to watch nature and learn from it. “Look at the birds of the air….” said one. “Study nature if you would define teh future…” said another. “Humanity is like an ocean …” said another. “Your work is to discover your world..” said another. So, there is so much we can learn from the transitions we observe in nature. Transitions between seasons are always smooth. I wish you smooth transitions.

    Comment by Herman Najoli | September 5, 2007

  3. This is so true..I’ve been going through transition since 3 yrs ago. This is a big one for sure. Letting go of the former is really hard. Even at times I thought i had already let go, somehow it still haunts me, reminding me of my past once in awhile.
    Today, i’m striving to move on with new things that God has planned for me. I hope the closure will come to an end soon that i may happily move on with the new :)

    Thank you!

    Comment by Canna | September 10, 2007


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