Step-by-Step Declutter
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Preparing for Transition in Life


Three Strategies for Ensuring Success

Life is full of changes. These changes often involve transitions which can take many forms. Some are standard to just about everybody (such as transitioning to the workforce as a young adult or to retirement later in life). Others are unique to each individual (such as dealing with a change in employment or adapting to a significant loss of some sort). No matter what sort of change you’re facing, you can make the experience smoother by taking a few proactive steps. Think of it as organizing your life on a grand scale.

When you’re staring change in the face, try applying these three practices to make the process easier.
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Consider the Possibilities


Instead of letting life happen to you, you can choose to take charge of your situation. In order to do so, you will need to think about all the possibilities associated with whatever transition you’re facing. Some will be positive and some will be negative. Examining the practical realities associated with a change can make dealing with them much easier. Knowing what you’re up against allows you to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally and in all other ways.

Let’s say you're preparing for a move to a new state. On the positive side, you will be faced with many new possibilities: a new home, new friends, new employment or educational opportunities, and a chance to make a fresh start and reinvent yourself. Some potential negatives in this situation include leaving friends and family behind, facing the unknown, the stress of being displaced, and the financial burdens associated with making a major move.

Start by making a list of the postives and negatives you expect to arise from this new situation. Then carefully think through how you can deal with each of them.
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What can you do to alleviate some of the stress associated with the challenges? How will you take advantage of the new opportunities this change presents?
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Plan Ahead


General Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Planning is everything. The Plan is nothing.” So what does that even mean? Simple. Planning is vitally important. In planning you think through the possibilities of what you may face and develop a strategy for dealing with them. In so doing, you prepare yourself for what lies ahead. But why is the plan nothing? Because things rarely go exactly as planned.

At times of transition in our family my husband has often paraphrased a famous quote from Helmuth von Moltke, a German Field Marshall from the late 19th century. Generally speaking (no pun intended), he said, “No plan survives first contact with the enemy.” In other words, you can plan all you like, but when it comes time to implement the plan, the realities of life are likely to force you to adjust as you go. That’s OK. Effective planning can actually prepare you to make the necessary adjustments. ​​
The most important part of planning is setting goals. As you examine the possibilities associated with your changing circumstances, think about what you want from this new phase of your life. Then decide how you will achieve those goals. It helps to start at the end and work backward. Once you’ve decided what you want your life to look like post transition, determine what you need to do now to make your wants a reality.

I once knew a lady who daydreamed of owning a horse ranch. For many years it was nothing but a fond fantasy. Then one day she had a thought: “Why
couldn’t I own a horse ranch? What’s stopping me?” That day her daydream became a goal, and she began preparing for this desired transition in her life. She did research and took lessons and started saving. Each of us has the power to make similar changes in our lives if we’re willing to do the work.
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Establish a Support System


Everything is easier when shared with a friend or loved one. No burden need be carried alone. If you’re facing transition (and we all are from time to time), let those who love you offer their support. Share your goals. Ask for advice from others who’ve been where you’re heading. As you identify potential problems or challenges, seek the help and support of others in managing those issues. ​

Sometimes Transition is Unexpected


I recognize that not all of life’s transitions can be planned for. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or unexpected health concerns are just a few of the many experiences we sometimes face which are neither hoped nor planned for. Even in situations where you are facing an unexpected (and unwelcome) change, these strategies can help make the adjustment smoother. There is still strength and perspective to be gained from carefully examining the situation, setting goals for the future in this new reality, and turning to others for strength and support.
While we can never truly prepare for the unexpected, we can develop skills and abilities that will help us deal positively with whatever surprises life has in store for us. One valuable skill set we can establish is increasing our emotional intelligence. In his book, A Dictionary of Psychology*, Dr. Andrew Coleman *defines Emotional Intelligence as "the capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and that of other's, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, and manage and/or adjust emotions to adapt to environments or achieve one's goal(s)"*. 
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More to Read


Click on the images below to read more about how to prepare for specific transitions in life. 
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Please Share


If you liked this page, please share it on social media.  Please leave me a quick comment as well in the section below. I'd love to hear from you!
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*Coleman, Andrew (2008). A Dictionary of Psychology (3 ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199534067.
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  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Free Organization Printables
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog