Life is full of transitions. Change happens constantly, and sometimes when BIG changes hit, we can feel like we are stuck in the whirlwind of change without having any control over whatâs going to happen. But the truth is, we have more control than we think:
1. First, acknowledge that the transition happened. âThis is so important because so many people, if they are not happy with the change or donât want it to happen, will simply ignore that itâs happening,â says Darryl Lovett, Creator and Host of Success in Black and White the Podcast. âThis is detrimental to dealing with the change. When I transitioned from being a high school football god to a college red-shirt freshman, I was shell-shocked. I expected that just because I was great in high school, Iâd be great in college. But it wasnât like that, and I had a hard time dealing with that transition because I refused to acknowledge that I was at a transitional point in my life.â
2. Give yourself time to process the transition. âSomething that Darryl and I have to communicate as a couple is that we handle transitions differently,â says April Lovett, Creator and Host of Success in Black and White the Podcast. âHe tends to spend time reflecting on and processing a transition, whereas I tend to see it, accept it, and move forward as quickly as possible to get to the âother sideâ of change,â she acknowledges. âThereâs nothing thatâs âbadâ or âgoodâ about one way of dealing with it over the other, but if you donât understand how your partner handles transitions, your relationship will suffer as you try to make it through changes together.â
3. Be patient. âFor me, this is the hardest part of working through transitions,â admits April. âBut itâs my strong suit,â claims Darryl. âSo as we work through change together, we also learn from each other,â says April. âItâs often me learning to be patient through his example. Iâve noticed since taking his cues and dealing with changes patiently that overall, the transitions donât seem as bad or as daunting as they used to when Iâd try to rush them along.â
Want more of this conversation? Tune in to the episode of the podcast below to hear Darryl & Aprilâs conversation on âSurviving Transitions"
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