Life doesn’t disappoint when it comes to surprising you. I started this blog about 18 months ago, marking a transition in my life. It came about because I had an abrupt finish to a job that I loved, and hoped I would be doing for a good few more years. I need to go back to the beginning of 2020. I just returned from my … Continue reading A Rough New Start
Coming to terms with our mortality gives us a unique perspective. Harry muses on the fact that there are some things he cannot change or fix, as much as he would like to. Mr “Fixit” “My kids knew me as Mr Fixit. Whether it was something broken or whether it was an issue they or one of their friends was dealing with. It was usually, … Continue reading Letting Go
“I don’t see transitions as being gentle, ongoing, slightly rocky bush trails. I see them as being difficult. You are going to get bruised and battered. But when you get to the top, you are going to be proud of that. And it will sting for a bit, but what a reminder of what you’ve achieved.” Katie reflects on her love of mountain hiking as … Continue reading A hiker’s view of transitions
Some of our best-known story lines portray a character returning home after a period of absence. Depending on our story, the main protagonist returns from a protracted absence to confront circumstances that cannot be ignored and that only she or he can face. Moses is one such character in the Bible, returning to Egypt to lead his people out of slavery. You could probably think … Continue reading A Returning Transition
A mild transition? Sometimes transitions are obvious. They are marked by a single event, such as a marriage or a divorce or having your first baby or starting a whole new career. But other times transitions might only appear as such in retrospect – a little like the sun rising on a cloudy day. You know it has happened but can’t pinpoint the moment of … Continue reading Ten thousand hours
So, how has 2020 been for you? It’s impossible to find anyone whose life hasn’t been upended in one way or another. It has been particularly challenging for business owners like Phil, who depend on regular contact with people every day. Phil cuts my hair. I’ve been seeing him for at least seven years, maybe longer. He and his wife Iris own a salon in … Continue reading A view from the top
“I was raised to believe that you work hard, do your job and be conscientious. But experience has shown me, to some degree, this advice just goes out the window. You could be made redundant at the drop of a hat and you have no control over it.” Joseph reflects on a major episode in his life that occurred more than six years ago. It … Continue reading A Good Samaritan’s Reflections
How do you transition to retirement? That was Julie’s question. She had plenty of energy, plenty still to contribute, but wondered, “when will I be ready?” Julie had been with a large community organisation based in Sydney for twelve years. “We had gone through a lot of changes. I had a big role, responsible for a lot of staff. But I was thinking about moving … Continue reading A transition to retirement?
Getting ahead in her career was not a major priority for Emma this year. Yet the onset of Covid-19 has elevated her work in ways she could not predict. Her skillset and professional experience are more in-demand now than they have ever been. Change of focus Emma’s focus at the beginning of the year was on helping her employer expand into new markets through strategic … Continue reading An unexpected turn
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