The beginning of March signifies a transition in the seasons as we start to head towards Spring, and this weekend felt like a real shift towards hope; with the sun beaming and the daffodils blooming.
It doesn’t seem like five minutes ago we were exchanging thoughts on goals for the year ahead and all of a sudden we’re heading towards the end of the first quarter. March signals the start of spring; a changing of the season, a transition into the next phase of the year.
I love spring; the weather becoming slightly warmer, the nights getting lighter, new beginnings, opening up of daffodils, more lush colours in nature, the new blossom, the birth of the baby lambs with a spring in their step. The feeling that new things are available to us. What lessons can we learn from nature? It’s a welcome reminder that we have the chance to start afresh or to change up something familiar to make it new again, to look at something through fresh eyes, or shed something that no longer serves us.
With everything going on in the world, at times, the prospect of renewal can feel so heavy and out of reach. It is easy to feel stuck in a rut, or concreted to our day to day routine. It may feel stagnant, it may no longer feel exciting, or motivating. The thought of making changes can seem overwhelming.
However, we don’t necessarily need to make extravagant or drastic changes to reconnect and re-energise life patterns. Small changes or tweaks can have a big impact.
As a start - Think about the different areas of your life - could be work, home life, wellness, mindset, friendships, relationship. Pick one area to focus on - don’t try to change everything all at once. What area feels like a natural place to start? Maybe one particular area that is causing the most unease?
Firstly, identify all the positives. There are always some. What is going well in that area? What are you grateful for within that area of your life? Name one thing you wouldn’t change.
Secondly, what would you like to improve? Is there something that repetitively frustrates you or causes you discomfort? Order the list in priority order - with the most pressing or disruptive at the top.
Thirdly, list all of the ways you could improve that one thing. Think broadly at first, even if something doesn’t feel achievable in this moment. Think of everything that’s within your control - your actions, your mindset, your behaviour, your words.
Next, identify what making that improvement would give you? How would this improvement change your life/day/environment? What would be the benefit to you?
Then, commit to one of the improvements on your list - it is ok to start small. Just start. Write down exactly what you’re going to do and when. Writing down our intentions means we’re more likely to bring those intentions to life. If you can keep that piece of paper visible - even better.
Finally, check in with yourself. Are you doing what you said you would do? If not, without judgment, ask yourself what’s standing in the way? If you are doing what you said you wanted to, celebrate. Notice what the impact has been - you could also commit to the next thing on your list.
As the seasons transition and the year moves forward, don’t forget that you can transition too. You can mould and bend, grow and progress.
If you're exploring your life and work transitions or would like some accountability as you make changes to your life, find out more about working together, here.
Gemma Brown is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation, working with individuals and groups to navigate successfully through transitions - be it career, relationships or life in general. Her belief is that when we confidently bring our whole selves to all areas of life, anything is possible. Transitions exist in both our personal and business life, and so often, the two fiercely overlap. Coaching with Gemma focuses on you as a whole, enabling you to identify your strengths, build confidence and to live a life with increased purpose and direction. Gemma works face to face with clients in the Cambridge area as well as via Zoom. For more about Gemma, visit her 'About' page or contact her directly.
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