For this and the next three articles, I’ll be outlining the playbook for times when life suddenly changes, and the client (or you!) are thrust into uncertainty. I will use the four stages of transition as our guide.
The four stages of transition (based on William Bridges’ model that included all but anticipation) are:
1. Anticipation
2. Ending
3. Passage
4. New Normal
Anticipation simply means that the client has become aware of an upcoming major life event. Now, there can also be anticipation of an event that does not occur—perhaps the sale of a business or a professional sports contract. Either way, what’s important is that the awareness of the event starts a chain reaction. Attention and perception shift and the event becomes alive for the client. All of its possible meanings and outcomes swirl around in the mind of the client. Expectations surface, behavior changes and relationships change. All aspects of well-being can be affected.