The Journey of Reflection and Growth: Navigating Transitions and Embracing Change

In life, transitions and change are inevitable. Whether it's transitioning to a new job, stepping down from a successful role, or simply reflecting on our accomplishments, these moments provide us with opportunities for growth and self-discovery.?

At the end of 2023, I began a career transition of my own. As I look toward my next venture, I’ve been thinking about the importance of these times in all our lives — the “spaces in between” the chapters. I began to chronicle how this experience has been for me and some of the things I’ve learned. As we start a new year, I thought it would be a good time to share some of these reflections with the hope that they will help you too. I’ll be introducing a LinkedIn series on transitions, and I hope you’ll follow along.

To begin with, I’ve been exploring the challenges and importance of reflection, the concept of time in our lives, and how embracing change can lead to personal and professional development.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned along the way:??

The Challenge of Transition:

One of the most difficult aspects of transition is understanding the reasons behind our choices. In the summer of 2023 I was working out my own reason for what my transition would look like. Of course I didn’t know that at the time. I just knew something needed to change and I did the work to figure that out. Fast forward to the end of 2023 and discussing my decision ?with others, I often heard words like bravery, finding the right fit, or even a sense of regret in relation to their own careers and decisions. ?Transition is not easy. It’s hard. And I’m not sure why I have never chosen the easy route in life, maybe because I know I have so much to learn, so much to give and so much to do in my quest in building a fairer, more equitable world where everyone gets to fulfil their potential, if they so choose. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown, which can be both intimidating and exhilarating. It takes courage to take that leap and trust that we are making the right decision. It is not a solo endeavour however, I got help from experts in transition, I spoke candidly to people I have worked with, I embraced that feedback. And I listened to myself.?

The Value of Reflection:

In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle without taking the time to reflect on our achievements. This thought internally came to me standing at the side line of a football game with my ten year old son. The stakes were high as you can imagine to beat the opponent and it hit me hard in the cold how despite the frantic chaos of winning the ball, tackling the opposition, when the coach shouts “Time” the game slows, the reflection takes place and the decisions on next steps are made.? However, reflection is a crucial step in understanding our accomplishments and recognizing our potential, in this case it was to set up a goal . It is during these moments of pause that we can truly articulate the impact of our work and align our purpose and values with our career choices. Only when we take the time to reflect can we fully appreciate what we have done and what we are capable of achieving. The only times I have had breaks in my working pattern have been during maternity leave. On my 1st maternity leave I had 8 weeks before I was chomping at the bit to get back in the so-called game. My boss wanted me back. After my second maternity leave my boss wanted me to stay off longer. I was told it was better for cash flow. During that period, I used my “time off” to define and pull together Moment Health a women’s health platform that I had long dreamed of building, and the time away finally gave me the opportunity to do it. The irony here is being “the first” to do something means you are paving the way for those who come after. By the time of my third maternity leave l was my own boss, and I had other reasons to slow down — it was the height of the pandemic, and I was dangerously ill and had to have surgery. I took that time to truly evaluate my life and values, which ultimately launched me into my most recent chapter.?

Seeking Help and Embracing Growth:

Part of the reflection process involves evaluating our relationships, personal integrity, and stakeholder engagement. This is language associated with my experience. It’s a new lexicon I discovered when I got help to round up my decades of experience and contribution to industry, equality and my future endeavours and ambitions for this place we call home.? It is a unique concept to consider seeking help and guidance from others in this journey. It’s important to be vulnerable. To reach out to those you respect, I’m talking to professionals, not friends. And to listen. This requires a certain amount of self awareness. Reaching out to individuals and organizations I admired provided me with valuable feedback and insights. It’s about being brave, and surrounding myself with the right people, and embracing that messiness of growth. I’d say that is going to be the key to my personal and professional development.

Time and Change:

Change takes time, whether it's within an organization or within ourselves. This I know. And maybe I’m more experienced now, I was always in such a rush to achieve earlier in my career. I think we all are. A mentor of mine told me “don’t chase it” and it has stuck. ?We must recognize the importance of giving ourselves the space to reflect, reassess, and reach out. This is not time wasted but rather a time for personal growth and staying true to our values. For me this is crucial and later in the series I’ll explore when I have experienced conflict in places I have been and how I have managed then. These situations have challenged me deeply but have also provided great opportunity to learn and grow.? Embracing our independence and challenging the status quo in positive ways can lead to transformative change and new opportunities. We need to listen. Listen. Listen.?

Stepping Down and Embracing What's Next:

Stepping down from a successful role had been tough in many ways, but it has also? presented me with a huge opportunity, one I do not take for granted and will not waste. It allows me the chance? to assess my skills and leverage my experiences to make a meaningful impact in new ways. I.e. in my position on the Institute of Directors (IoD) NI committee, as a board member of the NOW Group now group and as a Global Advisor to the @LeanIn.Org while I navigate next steps. My mindset of learning and growth will for sure set the foundation for my future endeavours.

In the journey of life, transitions and change are constant companions. By embracing these moments and taking the time to reflect on our achievements, values, and purpose, we can navigate transitions with grace and embrace growth. Seeking help, challenging the status quo, and recognizing the value of time are all key components in this process.

Remember, change is an opportunity for learning, growth, and discovering new paths.?

Hopefully we’ll meet somewhere along the way.