Are you on the threshold of a transition in your life somewhere? As we move from where we are to where we want to go, we go through different kinds of transitions and changes along the way. Perhaps you’re leaving an old job to start your own business. Or the nest is emptying as your children start independent lives outside the family home. Anyone who has experienced the end of a love relationship, knows that transition state of from being part of a couple to being a single person.

Transitions are a tough stage for most people. Whether by choice or by circumstance, transitions thrust us out of our comfort zone into the unknown and that feels really uncomfortable. It takes courage and commitment to keep moving ahead. Our fears and self-doubts kick into overdrive. Transition and change are inevitable realities, yet I believe there are strategies we can use so we can navigate these important choice points with more grace, confidence and ease.

Here are 3 strategies to use when you find yourself in a place of life transition.

1. Remember There Is A Greater Purpose

A great role model in nature of the power and beauty of transition is the butterfly. As Buckminster Fuller said “There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.” Times of transitions can be mysterious, but they are important times when we can learn… Read more »

Q. “How do I maintain a good relationship with my son who is regularly exposed to negative talk about me from his father?

A. This is a great question and unfortunately it is an issue that way too many separated parents have to deal with. Badmouthing, criticizing, or gossiping about one parent to the children hurts the children far more than it hurts the parent who is being criticized. Children see themselves as a product of both mom and dad. When one parent is derided by the other, the children quickly conclude that there may be something wrong about them too.

I would recommend a two-pronged approach. First, focus on building … Read more »

Life is not always going to be a “smooth sailing” kind of experience. Right now there is a lot of turmoil going on in the world – economically, politically, environmentally, even socially. In the world of your own life, how are you faring? Are you getting rocked by the waves and wondering to stay afloat?

This analogy of being afloat in a sea of change came to me after a recent family holiday at the lake. One morning, some family members decided to make a swimming/boating expedition to a small island a mile offshore. A few swam and I offered to man a canoe escort. But after we reached the island, I decided I wanted to try swimming back. While I’m a good swimmer, I’m not used to swimming great distances at all, so this was a bit of an out-of-the-box choice for me to make. Plus I have a fear of deep water and seeing the boulders and stones beneath the surface slightly freaks me out. But I decided to take the plunge anyway. After almost an hour, I made it safely to shore – a bit tired, but very pleased with myself. Plus, I learned some important principles that can help everyone stay afloat and thrive in life.

1. Don’t Be A Lone Ranger

A big mistake people make when setting off for new and distant shores is going it alone. The ego, fearing a risk of failure and exposure, might want you to stay separate and tough it out on your own. ….. Read more »

Q. “My husband and I are getting separated after 15 years (his idea) and I feel crushed. I feel like I’m losing my mind though – I keep forgetting things and can’t seem to focus my attention any more. Is this normal?”

A. Going through a separation and divorce is one of the most stressful things people go through. Emotions swing wildly. We feel loss and uncertainty as the world we knew is turned upside. I’m not a medical expert, but this feeling of overwhelm and being unable to have the same speed and efficiency of mental function you used to have is pretty normal. I remember having that thought more than once myself! It’s hard to retain or recall information. It’s challenging to make a decision. I felt like I could only absorb so much information before I started to feel swamped and agitated. So know that you are not alone in having this experience.

When we go through a big change that feels threatening to our security in any way, we get triggered into a flight or fight response. The hypothalamus in the brain fires up our nerve cells and… Read more »

We’ve all had those great moments of inspiration, where an amazing idea is sparked within us and we’re totally energized to make it happen. Your focus is clear and your creative juices are flowing. With your confidence and joy at an all-time high, you feel invincible. That was certainly the case for me when I wrote my award-winning book, The 7 Pitfalls of Single Parenting. I was so on fire I wrote most of the first draft in less than a month!

But, at some point resistance starts to set in. Your soul calls you forward to take a big leap, and delivers you a brilliant idea. But eventually your ego starts to kick in. One of the main jobs of the ego is to keep you safe. It puts on the brakes and says, “Hey, wait a minute! I think we ought to think about this more closely so you don’t get hurt or make a mistake.” The process of publishing my book took the better part of 18 months, even though I had a great running start at it.

Learning how to work with and break free from resistance is critical if you want to live an extraordinary life and accomplish your dreams. It’s like trying to drive with one foot on the gas, and the other foot on the brake. Resistance can make us procrastinate, or get wishy-washy in our thoughts and actions. Here are 3 strategies that will help you kick resistance to the curb so you can move ahead with more ease, speed and confidence… Read more »