Life transitions: How many variables?
Photo on Unsplash by Ana Municio
“Many people don’t plan their careers but let things move by happenstance.” I was listening to a recorded webinar as part of my continuing education requirements to renew my coaching certification with the International Coaching Federation. The presenter, Mina Brown, was sharing from her seasoned experience of coaching persons over the age of 45 in what she called “stage 2” of a career.[1] Naturally, the term “stage 2” made me think about our “second half collaborative” and the changes that occur as we seek to thrive and be fruitful over a whole lifetime.
What stood out to me from the presentation, however, was a table that she presented to help coaching clients see just how many different variables would be changing as they anticipate a professional career shift or change:
type of industry
location
money (or desired salary)
function (or role in a business or organization)
type of company
managerial level
With each variable added, the challenges and considerations “increase exponentially,” she noted. “After three variables, it becomes hard. Trying to change four or five variables – well, you have to strategize about what you want to prioritize.” I had to chuckle – no wonder my life after we moved to the US in 2016 seemed hard. I had changed at least 6 different variables!
“No wonder my life after we moved to the US in 2016 seemed hard. I had changed at least 6 different variables!”
As we mature in mission, changes are inevitable, both unplanned and planned. Teams split apart. Entry visas are no longer renewed. Sickness (and pandemics!) disrupt our lives. Regional or local conflicts force location change. Organizational shifts call for new roles to be filled. Ongoing personal development opens doors to new vocational opportunities. Finances falter. Adulting children and aging parents beckon us to be alongside them.
Think of your last season of significant transition or change in life and ministry. How many different variables were involved in that change? Now think ahead to any anticipated changes in life or ministry. How many different variables might be involved in that change? Planning is an act of faith, and a good discernment process will acknowledge rather than ignore the different factors or variables that could change.[2] Can you clearly identify these variables? How will you simplify by prioritizing what is most important to you? Maintaining your health and joy in God over a lifetime is worth it.
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[1] “Masterful Coaching for Stage 2 Careers: How to Help Clients Over the Hill” by Mina Brown, www.coachacademyinternational.com. Webinar accessed July 23, 2023, at https://learning.coachingfederation.org/cw/course-details?entryId=11500803. Brown also noted that the days of companies as “caretakers of careers” are gone.
2] For more on the discernment process see our 2HC blogs Discernment and the 2nd Half of Life (Part 1) and Discernment and the 2nd Half of Life (Part 2).