Steps for a Smooth Transition
May 12, 2022
It's been four years since I transitioned from non-profit leadership to my own business. The "Pass the Torch" ceremony, the celebration of my transition, was a memory on Facebook and started me reminiscing.
In 2014, I noticed a restlessness in my soul and I sensed that God was calling me out of non-profit to some bigger things. I didn't know what those bigger things might be, and God never gives me the 25-year plan--it's one step at a time. As a recovering, and sometimes relapsed, control freak, this was very disconcerting.
As I stumbled my way to our new vision (God's and mine,) I thought I could maybe stay at the non-profit part-time. I wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not, or if they would even let me.
So I hired a coach and shared all my thoughts with him. At the end of our call, he said to me, "May I give you some of my thoughts?" Of course, that's what I'm paying you for.
"Sometimes, when you have poured your life and soul into something for a long time, keeping one foot in hinders you from moving forward into God's full potential for you," he shared. Then he said something like this:
See, we try keep things the way they are and make this new thing fit. It will not fit into our current puzzle. It is a piece to a completely different puzzle. Put the current puzzle back in the box and create a new one. You've changed, Jan, and it’s impossible to change one area of your life without ripples into other areas. Relationships, thinking, habits, who we spend time with, and perceptions, all have changed. You've been building a new puzzle from a new vision.
This new vision is not your idea…you just became aware of it. The vision and calling chose you. It came from God.
There is an unexpressed possibility that wanted to come through you and with you. “Hey, grow!” is being whispered within. It was divinely inspired.
So you need to let go of some things to make the new puzzle pieces fit. Give up to go up. You're going to have to live in harmony with the Law of Sacrifice. Give up things of a lesser value for things of a higher value. It’s not about trading. It’s about defining what is of highest value and what is lower value. The moment you define those things, the lesser will fall away.
He was so wise. When I hung up the phone with my coach, I knew my next steps:
1. Finish well. My coach was right. I needed to put things in order so that I could leave a legacy--so that my transition all the way out was seamless.
2. I began to focus on what I could control. I created a business plan that would allow me to save extra money for my transition. My vision pulled me forward.
3. I developed a more intimate relationship with God because He knew my future and the path I would take. I didn't have a clue...yet. My prayer and listening to Him were deepened.
4. When the time was right for everyone concerned, and I got God approval, I jumped. That was the scary part because I felt like I didn't have all the pieces to the new puzzle. BUT, I had the box top (my preferred vision,) so I knew what the completed puzzle looked like.
This is the shortened version of my transition journey. I went from one calling I loved into another. I love my life.
If you want more details or need help transitioning, please call me. I'd love to help you jump!
Loving life,
Jan
In 2014, I noticed a restlessness in my soul and I sensed that God was calling me out of non-profit to some bigger things. I didn't know what those bigger things might be, and God never gives me the 25-year plan--it's one step at a time. As a recovering, and sometimes relapsed, control freak, this was very disconcerting.
As I stumbled my way to our new vision (God's and mine,) I thought I could maybe stay at the non-profit part-time. I wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not, or if they would even let me.
So I hired a coach and shared all my thoughts with him. At the end of our call, he said to me, "May I give you some of my thoughts?" Of course, that's what I'm paying you for.
"Sometimes, when you have poured your life and soul into something for a long time, keeping one foot in hinders you from moving forward into God's full potential for you," he shared. Then he said something like this:
See, we try keep things the way they are and make this new thing fit. It will not fit into our current puzzle. It is a piece to a completely different puzzle. Put the current puzzle back in the box and create a new one. You've changed, Jan, and it’s impossible to change one area of your life without ripples into other areas. Relationships, thinking, habits, who we spend time with, and perceptions, all have changed. You've been building a new puzzle from a new vision.
This new vision is not your idea…you just became aware of it. The vision and calling chose you. It came from God.
There is an unexpressed possibility that wanted to come through you and with you. “Hey, grow!” is being whispered within. It was divinely inspired.
So you need to let go of some things to make the new puzzle pieces fit. Give up to go up. You're going to have to live in harmony with the Law of Sacrifice. Give up things of a lesser value for things of a higher value. It’s not about trading. It’s about defining what is of highest value and what is lower value. The moment you define those things, the lesser will fall away.
He was so wise. When I hung up the phone with my coach, I knew my next steps:
1. Finish well. My coach was right. I needed to put things in order so that I could leave a legacy--so that my transition all the way out was seamless.
2. I began to focus on what I could control. I created a business plan that would allow me to save extra money for my transition. My vision pulled me forward.
3. I developed a more intimate relationship with God because He knew my future and the path I would take. I didn't have a clue...yet. My prayer and listening to Him were deepened.
4. When the time was right for everyone concerned, and I got God approval, I jumped. That was the scary part because I felt like I didn't have all the pieces to the new puzzle. BUT, I had the box top (my preferred vision,) so I knew what the completed puzzle looked like.
This is the shortened version of my transition journey. I went from one calling I loved into another. I love my life.
If you want more details or need help transitioning, please call me. I'd love to help you jump!
Loving life,
Jan
Jan McDonald
Maxwell Leadership Certified Team
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