In times of intense transitions, I see a vivid overlap between my Seasons of Change transition work and the Organic Way that guides us as we create, develop, and grow our businesses.
So many are going through intense times right now. I hear these themes shared by my clients, colleagues, social media contacts, and personal friends.
- The existential questions we are asking ourselves in the dark of night.
- The major life circumstances, transitions, and events unfolding for ourselves and those we hold dear. These may be a combination of health challenges, relationship redesigns, relocations, family shifts, loved ones making their transition, changes to our livelihood, spiritual awakenings, and the list goes on.
- The larger scale collective shifts that only add to the uncertainties of our times.
- The shifts in our businesses that are inspired or required by all of the above.
The transitions and changes that are alive in our lives are helping us resolve old patterns, solve riddles that have been with us our entire lives, and release what is no longer relevant or nurturing to us.
You are not alone in feeling like you are going through a lot these days. We are all — Change Catalysts and transition clients alike — holding, processing, releasing, and clearing so much at the moment.
In the Mainstream: We've Been Taught to
Interpret These Transitions as Interruptions
It is easy to think that the events shaping our lives in this moment are keeping us from our success.
As we handle all-the-things in our lives, we watch as our goals slip further out of reach. We get worried when we don't hit our numbers. When we don't achieve the Mainstream milestones we have set. When we backslide on the timelines we have laid out for ourselves.
These traditional Mainstream measures of progress hold so much power. They convince us that there is only one path to success. When we don't reach the goals we've set out for ourselves, we feel frustrated and anxious. We worry we aren't doing "it" right. That it's never going to work. That we better step it up and get back on track.
We are trained to believe that success will follow a steady stair-step path. Or, if we are lucky, a rocket ship launch trajectory that takes us higher and higher.
When our path takes what feels like a downward turn, we fight it, resist it, and hide from it. We hope it all goes away so that we can get back to working toward our vision.
Let's Change that Narrative!
I invite you to take a step back from the shoulds, have tos, and musts that make up your personal and professional to-do lists.
Give yourself a few moments to take deep cleansing breaths. Release the tension you are holding.
Now, consider how you might reframe the transitions you are experiencing.
What's the Gift You Are Receiving from Your Transition?
Isn't it just as possible that the transition you are going through right now will...
- Awaken a new passion in you.
- Give you new insights about what your clients are experiencing.
- Deepen your compassion for yourself and your clients, providing you with more capacity to be of service to your clients.
- Help you release or heal a past experience that frees you up to do more powerful work and live your life more fully and authentically.
- Show you how to reset your own nervous system so that you have the capacity, energy, and bandwidth to handle the success you dream of.
- Guide you to a new way of moving through the world.
- Highlight aspects of your character that are more powerful, nuanced, and empowering than you have realized.
Through the Lens of the Organic Way
In my experience using the Seasons of Change and the Organic Way as my guides, I discovered a subtle shift within that can change how we interpret what's happening "to" us.
Life happens for all of us. Whatever transitions you are experiencing at this time, it is not a detour to be avoided or annoyed by, but a path to a deeper sense of yourself and new layers of clarity about your work.
When you stop fighting and resisting the life transitions and challenges you face, the healing and insights you experience bring gifts to you, your work, your business, and, ultimately, to your clients.
Notice what grows out of the difficulties you are experiencing. Spot the seeds of something new growing within you. Focus on nurturing those seeds!
If You Are in the Middle of Difficult Transitions Right Now...
Please note that while you are in the depths of a transition, you may not be able to see the gifts, but one day you will.
When you are in the dark and it seems endless, painful, and soul-crushing, you may not be able to see any glimmers of hope. Instead, focus your attention on resting, healing, and nurturing yourself to the best of your abilities. It won't make sense to the "doing" part of yourself, but it is what the "being" part of you is craving.
- Perhaps one of the gifts you are discovering is how to take care of yourself in a new way.
- Or perhaps the opportunity to slow down gives you new insights about what you truly need in a situation you are facing.
See what you can do to work with, rather than against, the transitions unfolding in your life. I know it is not easy to do, but when you can slide into this relationship with the events you are going through, working with your transitions opens the door for more insights and new perspectives.
Even on the darkest days, see if you can catch a glimpse of hope, potential, or insight. Even if you just catch a flicker of light, it can be enough to keep you going.
The Organic Way Offers Insights for Your Business and Your Life
In many ways these dynamics and other characteristics of the Organic Way open up a new way of life for Change Catalysts. By seeing their business through a different lens, they begin to see themselves and their life through that lens as well.
Recently a member of one of my mentoring circles sent me this unsolicited testimonial, which illustrates the impact the Organic Way has had on her life and her work.
Carol is a true midwife — holding the space for Change Catalysts ushering through new creations, practices, businesses, and lives for themselves and their clients.
Tapping into the natural wisdom of Carol's Organic Way has served me rather spectacularly within both my work and my life.
Carol's mentorship circles provide lifelines and grounding cords to stay true to the essence of myself and the legacy-mission-work that is coming through me. I am held in a potently rich soil of potentialities and practicalities. From here, she honors, strengthens, and underscores my inner innate wisdom.
Bobbye Middendorf
Inner Wisdom Keeper
BobbyeMiddendorf.com
Want to Deepen Your Understanding of the Organic Way?
Check out my Podcast Episodes — There Is a New Path: Introducing the Organic Way
In this episode, I introduce you to the Organic Way. This gentle, encouraging journey is especially inspiring for Emerging and Seasoned Change Catalysts who work with clients moving through significant transitions. By the end of the episode, you’ll understand five Key Dynamics that are unique to the Organic Way.
- The Organic Way Is an Unfolding Journey, not a Defined Destination
- Guided by Self-Alignment, not a “Proven” Template
- Focused on Strengthening Your Foundation First, Not Rushing to Market
- Enriched by Receiving Feedback from Clients, Not Just a Reflection of Your Own Imagination
- Gaining Confidence through Verification, Not Faking It Until You Make It.
Another Resource
Learn more about the Organic Way by reading this eBook: Discover a New Path Forward: A Gentle, Encouraging Way to Create and Grow a Viable Business