The Art of Change: Lessons from My Career Transition

 

October 28, 2024 Regenerate Your World  Build the future you want to live in. I know these times aren't the easiest for all of us, but I am an optimist - I see the glass as refillable instead of half-full or half-empty. To brighten up your days, I publish the Regenerate Your World newsletter coming to your inbox on a bi-weekly basis. Let's Get Empowered!

The Art of Change: Lessons from My Career Transition First Day of Work! Dear Empowered Reader, In the last newsletter, I celebrated the third anniversary of Empower Possible. Founding Empower Possible was a big change and the changes keep coming. Change is inevitable, but how we navigate it makes all the difference. Today, I’m excited to share a big shift in my life and the journey that led me here. Many of you know me as the Founder of Empower Possible, where I focus on helping individuals and organizations thrive. Until recently, I also worked full-time at Essentia Health, a rewarding and transformative role. After a lot of thought, I made the decision to resign from Essentia Health and take on a new adventure as the Change Management Coordinator and Project Director for the State of Minnesota. How I Got Here: Steps That Led to This Change Self-Reflection: The first step was to pause and reflect on my goals. I asked myself questions like, "What impact do I want to make next?" and "How can I grow while staying true to my values and interests?" Exploration: I began exploring new opportunities that felt aligned with my values. The role with the State of Minnesota really caught my attention because it offered the chance to make a bigger impact at the state level—a challenge that truly excites me. Evaluation: Once I found this opportunity, I carefully evaluated it. How would it affect my current commitments, including Empower Possible? And how did it fit into my long-term vision? Decision-Making: After weighing the pros and cons, I made the decision to embrace this new chapter. It felt like the right move to help me grow and contribute to a larger cause. Steps I Took to Make a Smooth Transition  Open Communication: I was transparent with my team at Essentia Health, making sure everyone stayed informed about the transition. Clear communication has been key in maintaining trust and ensuring a smooth handover. Strategic Planning: I created a detailed transition plan to ensure a seamless departure and a strong start in my new role. The plan included timelines, key tasks, and responsibilities to keep everything on track. Staying Committed: I remain deeply committed to Empower Possible. Balancing both roles will require careful time management, but I’m ready for the challenge! Self-Care: Managing change can be both exciting and stressful. I’m making time for self-care, like mindfulness, exercise, and rest, to stay focused and energized during this shift. Saying "See You Later": I thought a lot about how I wanted to leave the organization I have been a part of for the last three years,  I created a plan to say "see you later" to the people who made my time with Essentia so special. I arranged "see you later" gatherings for colleagues and friends. It was time to reflect on the moments we shared together and make plans to see each other again.  Creating Space to Grieve: One part of transitioning that we often overlook is the need to grieve. Even when we’re excited about what’s next, there’s still a part of us that mourns what we’re leaving behind. For me, saying goodbye to Essentia Health and the community of Duluth wasn’t just about ending a job—it was about letting go of the relationships, the routines, and the comfort of the familiar. Grief isn’t reserved for loss in the traditional sense; it’s something we feel during any major transition. Creating space to acknowledge and process these emotions is important for moving forward in a healthy way. I’ve found that allowing myself moments to reflect and feel gratitude for the experiences and people I’ve worked with has been a key part of my transition. If you’re going through a change, big or small, remember to give yourself permission to grieve. It’s okay to feel a mix of excitement and sadness as you move forward. In fact, it’s a natural part of embracing new possibilities. Reflection Questions for Navigating Your Own Change If you’re going through a transition, here are some questions that might help guide you: What’s your 'why' for considering this change? Understanding your motivation is key to making a decision that aligns with your  values. What are the potential benefits and challenges of this change? Consider the positives and potential obstacles. How can you overcome the challenges? How can you prepare for a smooth transition?  Whether in your career, personal life, or wellness journey, think about the steps you need to ensure success. Be ready for a few speed bumps. Not everything will go as planned, make a plan and be flexible! What support systems do you have in place? Identify the people, resources, or practices that will support you through this time. How does this change align with your long-term goals? Evaluate how this decision fits into your vision for the future. Change is an opportunity for growth. While it may be challenging, it also opens doors to new possibilities. As I step into this next role, I’m excited to continue this journey with you, sharing experiences and insights that can help us all embrace change with confidence and resilience. Thank you for being part of the Regenerate Your World community. Together, we can empower each other to embrace change and thrive. Take Care, Dear Reader, Julie Zaruba Fountaine Founder,  Empower Possible On my commute home ( I go into the office once every couple of weeks) I found a nature reserve where I can take a few moments to pause and reflect on the day. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Click here to get your own subscription. Vocation  by Rabindranath Tagore When the gong sounds ten in the morning and I walk to school by our lane.    Every day I meet the hawker crying, "Bangles, crystal bangles!"     There is nothing to hurry him on, there is no road he must take, no place he must go to, no time when he must come home.     I wish I were a hawker, spending my day in the road, crying,"Bangles, crystal bangles!"     When at four in the afternoon I come back from the school,     I can see through the gate of that house the gardener digging the ground.     He does what he likes with his spade, he soils his clothes with dust, nobody takes him to task if he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.     I wish I were a gardener digging away at the garden with nobody to stop me from digging.     Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed,     I can see through my open window the watchman walking up and down.     The lane is dark and lonely, and the street-lamp stands likea giant with one red eye in its head.     The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at his side, and never once goes to bed in his life.     I wish I were a watchman walking the streets all night, chasing the shadows with my lantern.

Connect with me on social media! Copyright © EMPOWER Possible  Northfield, United States EMPOWER Possible is dedicated to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to organize and act together to regenerate our world through Self, Social, and Systems transformation.  info@empowerpossible.com \ Website \ Mission You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in my work—thank you! You can change your email preferences or unsubscribe at any time.  Disclaimer: This newsletter contains content that has been modified and inspired by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. While we use ChatGPT to enhance our content, it should not be considered professional advice. For specific concerns or decisions, please consult with a qualified professional or trusted source. The newsletter authors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided by or inspired by ChatGPT.