Congratulations! You finally closed your eyes, held your breath and jumped. You left the safety and security of the past and are now on your way to your future. Now, to make your new dreams a reality you must navigate through the unsettling space called transition. How do you keep your emotions intact while it feels as if you are free falling during the interim?

1. Perspective – The old adage is true, “This too shall pass.” Ground yourself by remembering that this is but a blip in the screen of your life. Do not become submerged in the transition itself. This is merely a means to an end.

2. Resilience - Remember where you are headed and why you made the decision to move on. It is helpful to write down your impetus for making a change and what your hopes are for the future. When moments of inner turmoil strike, refer to these notes for inspiration. Also, look at past transitions and reaffirm your inner strength.

3. Distraction – During this unsettling time do whatever possible to reach your new goal. However, there will be unavoidable downtime ---fodder for obsession. Do not fall into the trap. Find ways to distract yourself like exercise, hobbies or new personal goals. For example, a friend of mine trained for a half marathon. This allowed her to channel her stress in a productive manner.

4. Determination – Once you have made the leap, quit looking back and questioning. Your have moved on to achieving new heights and satisfaction! Focus your thoughts on where you are going, not where you have been. Visualize your new goal and go for it with strength and determination.

How did you survive transition? laura@realwomenwin.com