Transition Preparation Guide - Part 1

Over the last three months, I have been writing blog posts sharing tips on how to survive through quarantine and the current situation around us. As things begin to slowly shift, I thought it is a great time for us to begin our mental preparation for the next phase. This is a time of transition from the most unexpected situation we have all faced to the new normal.
 
In this blog post, we will explore three tips to help us transition to the next phase and make the best of the upcoming months.
 
#1: Allow yourself to start thinking about the next phase
To be able to kick-off the next phase in our lives, we need to give ourselves the permission to think about the future. Although the last months have brought unexpected surprises, there are still many opportunities for us to experience good things this year. This is the perfect time to reflect on what we have learnt and start envisioning the future.
 
Strategies to consider

• Start keeping a list of things you want and need to do
• Keep track of when you can take action

 
#2: Set expectations but prepare to learn and adjust
While we anticipate what comes next, it is important to be hopeful and not fearful. We might be more inclined to temper our feelings of hope and excitement in order not to be disappointed. A source of motivation for us is being positive about the future. While we are being hopeful about the future, it is also important for us to prepare to pivot and do things differently if we are presented with unexpected situations.
 
Strategies to consider

• Think about what you are excited about
• Prepare mentally to adapt when things change

 
#3: Accept that things are not going back to normal and will be different
Over the next months, we will experience life differently. The events of the last three months have left us all hoping for things to go back to the way that they were before. However, from all indications, things are going to be different over the next months. Accepting the new reality will help us be more successful. We can invest more energy in adapting to the new normal than desiring what we had before.
 
Strategies to consider

• Acknowledge that things have changed in your life
• Celebrate the new normal

 
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with one lesson that I have learned:
Over that last weeks I have realized that although planning is crucial, what really matters is how I adapt when my plans change. I have a lot of peace now that I am adapting to the recent changes instead of trying to push through my plans for 2020. I am also accepting that no amount of planning could have prepared me for our current situation.
 
Call to Action
What are you looking forward to the most over the next 6 months?