Major Changes: How The Disruptive Element’s Techniques Eased Me Into Semi-Retirement

It’s often easier to give advice than to take it. Just ask any doctor, psychiatrist, personal trainer, dietician, or anyone who regularly guides others in decision making. As a career and leadership coach, I’ve been in the “advice giving” business for nearly a decade, but sometimes I still struggle to take my own advice (even when I know it’s the right thing to do!).

Case in point:?my recent decision to semi-retire .

My feelings of restlessness and discontent had been building for some time, but it took me a while to stop and examine those feelings, tap into some of my coaching best practices, and act. Fortunately, when I did decide to examine my person path, I had a collection of tools and techniques at my disposal—tools developed during my time at?The Disruptive Element .

Let’s discuss three of the practices I utilized, and how you can apply them to your own journey whenever you are at a crossroads or about to make a major transition. These techniques are evidence-based, rooted in brain science, and have proven to be highly effective. The Disruptive Element has always been centered around research-backed methodologies, and these practices reflect that philosophy. Let’s dive in…

1. Practice Mindfulness?

Mindfulness can be defined as being fully present, becoming aware of your thoughts and emotions, and having a neutral, nonjudgmental mentality. It’s easy to write off mindfulness and its related practices as fluffy nonsense. Trust me…I was one of those people thinking it was fluffy at one time!??However, that’s simply not true. The benefits of intentional mindfulness are numerous, and I’m a true convert.

Too often, we’re so busy flitting from task to task, or from responsibility to responsibility, that we forget to pause, take in our surroundings, and listen to what our inner compass is telling us. Though “intuition” or “gut feeling” may seem like unscientific terms, humans have relied on instincts to guide us for thousands of years. A?Harvard Business Review article ?highlights studies which show “pairing gut feelings with analytical thinking helps you make better, faster, and more accurate decisions and gives you more confidence in your choices than relying on intellect alone. This is especially true when you’re overthinking or when there is no single clear-cut, ‘correct’ option.”

If you’re feeling “off,” it may be time for a check-in. What is your gut trying to tell you? Why do you suppose you’re feeling off-kilter??

Even though the last couple of years have been trying for many people, I knew my feelings went beyond pandemic “weirdness.” I was exhausted, my inner spark had dimmed, and it was taking an enormous amount of effort to do tasks that had been easy and enjoyable in the past. I decided to check in with myself and practice mindfulness. Once I reengaged with the present moment and examined my feelings, I gained clarity about my path and realized I needed to make a major change.

2. Build Self-Awareness

Most of us think we are self-aware…myself included.??However, when was the last time you really (really?!) stopped to think about your personal tendencies, beliefs, behaviors, and preferences? In our daily lives, we usually don’t analyze how we perceive the world, process information, or interact with others…we just do it. Especially when we are “off.”

It’s possible to build some self-awareness on your own by simply paying attention to your inner monologue (the self-talk that runs through your head), thinking about how you interact with others, and noticing how you react in certain situations. Or, if it’s an option,?working with a coach ?can be a powerful way to develop a deeper understanding of yourself. Having an outside perspective on how you deal with minor annoyances, deal with stress, lead a team project, etc., can be incredibly eye-opening.??I have my own coach!

When you’re familiar with your personal tendencies and preferences (with complete honesty without judgement), you can begin to act with greater authenticity and intention. You can become more accepting of the true you.

In my case, I know I enjoy new challenges, adventures, and problem-solving. I also thrive in the face of uncertainty. This is not a common trait (our brains have been hardwired to?seek stability and safety ), so I consider it an asset and a strength—something that sets me apart. When I was making the decision to transition from my current role, I realized I didn’t have to plot out my future path, brick by brick. Instead, I could leave room for ambiguity and going with the flow. I could spend the next year “figuring it out.”??This may not sound like much, but trust me, I was constantly asked, “What are you going to do next?” For some, this can be an overwhelming question.

Without having a deep knowledge of myself and my tendencies, I likely wouldn’t have been okay with an open-ended plan. Or I might not have transitioned from my current role in the first place. Instead, I probably would have conformed to what I’m “supposed to do” and stuck it out, even when I knew I needed a change.

3. Use Visioning

When people think of visioning (also known as visualization), they usually think of elaborate meditations or vision boards (if that is your thing great, but it wasn’t mine). Visioning can be a relatively simple, everyday practice. At its core, visioning involves picturing your future successes in great detail and truly believing in the end result. You might see yourself giving a flawless presentation in front of a group of 100 shareholders. Or you might picture your team working cohesively to complete a difficult task.?

When you vividly imagine something happening, your brain treats it as the “real deal.” The same chemical reactions take place in your brain when you’re imagining as when you’re doing. Additionally, your brain begins to tune in to opportunities related to your vision. You begin to notice possibilities you may have previously missed because (whether consciously or not) your brain is seeking those opportunities. This is related to the Reticular Activating System, which filters through information and alerts us when something important is perceived (if you’d like to learn more, check out my?past blog post on visioning ).

When I began thinking about transitioning from my current role, I practiced visioning. I began thinking about what I needed in life to be happier, more energized, and excited. I pictured the vineyard I had recently acquired in Argentina, and knew I wanted to be more involved in its operations. I also pictured the steps I would have to take and the conversations I would need to have to successfully exit my role. Visioning helped me see my path more clearly and gave me the self-assurance that I could navigate the tricky waters of leaving the company I had built with my co-founder, Paula.

Rethinking your future or transitioning into a new role can be intimidating, but it doesn’t need to prevent you from taking action. Several evidence-based tools and techniques exist that can help ease you down your new path. Starting these practices may feel strange at first, but the more you integrate them into daily life, the more natural they will feel. If you’re at a crossroads, I encourage you to give them a try (they certainly helped clarify?my?path!).

@thedisruptiveelement #justbe #nextstep #journeycontinues