By Sabrina Roblin

Change and transition are often disconcerting.  The known is replaced by the unknown and when we find ourselves in this new territory, we often look outside ourselves for direction, reassurance and guidance.  There is nothing wrong with this, asking for help is an important leadership skill, and none of us can get through life alone.  We all need a support team.  The danger is to forget about our own knowing and wisdom which is always accessible to us.  It’s this internal knowing that is our truest guide. 

There is so much noise in the world now, and so many out there who profess to have the answer to whatever ails us, that it can be hard to hear that inner knowing.  What is our inner knowing and how do we know when we’ve heard it?  It can be a still, small, declarative voice – “call your sister”, “reach out to your colleague”, “go for a walk”, “rest”.  It can be a feeling in the gut.  It can show up through a synchronistic meeting with an old colleague or just the right book showing up to answer the question you’ve been asking yourself.  Even a good coach is going to help you attune to and notice how your own knowing and wisdom are showing up in your life.

If you are in transition, wanting to create your next chapter as your best yet, and wondering what your next steps are, slow down and notice what’s around you.  Be aware of those synchronicities, honor your gut feelings, listen for that still, small, declarative voice.  At each step they will guide you to the next one and the next.  You can’t always see what is around the corner, but you can honor your own knowing about what the next best step is to take.  And this honoring will build self-trust and self-confidence.  Over time your life will transform and you’ll find yourself in new and exciting territory.  So, honor your own knowing and enjoy the journey. You’ll be glad you did.

Interested in getting support in honoring your internal guide and navigating the process of retirement? Find out more about how Life Reinspired can support you or your organization’s executives in making meaningful and value-added transitions to their next chapter!

Sabrina Roblin is Co-Founder of Life Reinspired, a reset lab for successful Baby Boomers contemplating a meaningful next chapter in life. Sabrina is an experienced executive, mentor, trainer, and coach. She has worked for organizations that include Wells Fargo Bank, Broderbund Software, and The Coaches Training Institute.