Disruptive Seasons When Your Clients Need A Coach
You’ve heard me mention again and again that when someone is approaching or responding to a life transition it’s a valuable time to partner with a Coach. In the last blog we discussed the connection between change and fear by first identifying that change disrupts.
Period.
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
Change and transition have an uncanny ability to disrupt several life dimensions. If not our relationships, then our emotional health. If not our emotional health, then our environmental (home, office, etc) health. If not environmental then our physical health….
You get the idea.
Due to the synergy of our lives and interplay between all dimensions, each area will feel some sort of ripple effect, even if it’s not hit the hardest by the transition.
But, when exactly will these disruptions happen?
In the examples I’m about to share, it’s not likely that every client will navigate each one, but I bet you can’t think of a single client who hasn’t experienced at least one event listed.
Many of these life events may be deemed “exciting”. Sure, a feeling of excitement can seem positive, buoy our energy, and bring about a certain level of optimism, but that certainly doesn’t mean it won’t disrupt. Just think about the birth of a baby; a very exciting event and simultaneously, absolutely disruptive to the patterns, habits, priorities of the previously childless parents. =)
I’m passionate about Coaching for transitions so that folks don’t get stuck in the quicksand of disruption, but can thoughtfully maneuver their unique situation.
Let’s explore:
Retirement - disrupts daily structure, social circles, financial health, built-in challenge and creativity, identity, physical health (choosing more movement or default to more sedantary) and sense of purpose (just to name a few).
Empty-nesting - disrupts emotional connections, sense of purpose, social activities, environmental (home) organization, and daily patterns.
Geographic Relocation - disrupts everything environment related (moving is high on the list of stressful events), social circles, (if moving for a job) occupational relationships and knowledge, strains closest relationships, may have identity concerns about no longer being somewhere they felt rooted, a sense of belonging in a new place may take time.
Job Promotion - disrupts occupational responsibilities, imposter syndrome often occurs, could impact social circles or availability for current hobbies and creativity, financial health, physical health may be impacted from longer hours during learning curve or striving to prove oneself worthy.
Job Loss - disrupts confidence, sense of purpose, financial health, social circles/support, emotional health, physical health from worry and urgency to find what’s next , spiritual components and grief, environmental patterns, may not feel welcome in a certain neighborhood or business area anymore, family dynamics.
Selling a Business - similar to retirement but often more complex. Disrupts sense of authority and identity, daily structure, social circles, occupational purpose (will they start or buy another business?), physical health, built in challenge and creativity.
Separation/Divorce - hugely disrupts emotionally and socially, often environmental stressors and changes, daily patterns, large financial concerns, physical health, maybe one spouse wasn’t working and now needs to; occupational challenges, identity and worthiness concerns.
Concern/Increased Caretaking for an Aging Parent - disrupts daily patterns, may have “too much” on their plate now and feel like they’re dropping the ball with their kids, home, church or work commitments, spiritual or existential questions, financial constraints, emotional and mental impacts, may lessen occupational availability or input.
Loss of a Spouse or Child - disrupts daily habits, occupational availability, emotional and spiritual health, future hopes and dreams, family dynamics and relationships, possible heavy financial concerns, extreme loneliness may occur, creativity and hobbies stagnate, a massive reckoning of “before” and now, “after”. For a spouse, disrupted framework of growing old together and everything related.
Often, clients are so fixated on the “main” disruption that they’re not yet attuned to the trickle effect and just how encompassing this transition is for their lives.
Every aspect of a transition like any of the above provides opportunities for new choices and options. Change is a beautiful time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not - and recommit to what will work for them. It’s a precious responsibility (that many unknowingly pass the baton) to develop the right sense of personal balance in this new season.
