Want Greener Grass? 4 Strategies to Transition on Your Terms
How green is the grass in your world these days?
Every so often, it’s useful to take a step back and reflect on the wholeness of our lives. If you were to step back and consider your health, fun and enjoyment, career progression, personal development, family presence, spiritual connection, financial health, social relationships and impact - what would you celebrate? What would you find missing?
It’s normal to wonder about making a change or wanting a transition in pursuit of greener grass.
If you engage in this reflection and find some areas you want to grow, you’re human. Perhaps you think the grass could be greener at another organization; maybe you need some watering in fun & enjoyment or social relationships. Many of my clients want to plant seeds for their personal development now that they can harvest 2-3 years down the road.
And here’s what to avoid: Putting yourself through a constant state of, “Should I? Shouldn’t I?”
But here’s the trick - once you’ve found an area that needs some weeding, watering or extra sunshine - don’t fall into dwelling on it, beating yourself up about it, or entering an existential wondering of if you should do anything about it or not. Why? Because that’s absolutely no fun - that kind of back and forth on what to do sucks your energy and keeps you stuck.
Ultimately, you have 4 options to transition on your terms:
Leave the situation behind
Accept your situation as it is
Change the environment around you
Change your perspective about your situation
Let’s dig into each of these 4 strategies to make a transition.
Leave the situation behind:
On the surface, this is as simple as it sounds. If your work, relationships or current spending habits aren’t serving you, you could choose to leave. Find a new job, end a relationship, cut off all purchases at Cream City Yarn (oh, you don’t have a yarn addiction? Well then, adjust for your preferences.)
Here your work centers in preparation for stability and security through the change. What will you do or need after you’ve left? How can you ensure that your next move suits you better? (Psst: it’s great to have a transition coach while traveling this path).
Accept the situation as it is:
How often do you tell yourself you’re not good enough? Where you are right now in life and at work isn’t good enough? That you can only be happy when….
How true is it that who you are and where you are in life isn’t good enough? What if you are right on time in your broader journey? When we stop judging ourselves and our circumstances, our grass instantly becomes greener.
The path of acceptance demands attention to and care for your inner thoughts. What would it take for you to release some judgement and be totally OK with where you are, in this moment of time?
Change the environment around you:
This pathway represents a long-term commitment to adjustment, impact and reflection. If it’s work that could be better, perhaps your work is in having a conversation with your manager about the scope of your role or new opportunities. If it’s about relationships, you may change the environment through having conversations about boundaries, preferences or future plans.
When you choose this path, give yourself time to reflect on your priorities, values, and aspirations so that you can negotiate change in your environment in a meaningful way.
Change your perspective about the situation:
This pathway opens the door to intentional learning and reflection. You don’t have to take an action or change on your part, nor is it time to begin a conversation with a manager or significant other. In this pathway, you look for the gift in the situation to shift your perspective and greenify your grass.
The work in this pathway is in shifting your perspective. What would you notice and feel grateful for if you looked at your situation with a fresh set of eyes? What are you learning, strengthening or feeling inspired by in your current situation, exactly as it is? What is this moment ultimately preparing you for?
