It’s Time To Change

As we step closer to Christmas and the festive period, its always good to take some time out to relax and reflect and thats the theme of #AdventBlogs.

Todays comes from Tina Dickens from 2J Consulting who is a leadership coach and consultant as well as a coach supervisor and our paths have crossed a few times within the coaching world. Tina is connectable via - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-dickens-9377905/ and 2J Consulting is found at https://www.linkedin.com/company/2j-consulting/

Take a moment to read and as always, share your reflections on LinkedIn. Over to Tina.

Looking back on 2025 I see that it has been a time of rapid and major change for me – both personally and professionally. As the year draws to a close it has left me wondering what 2026 may bring.

I started 2025 with expectations of major change; a variety of exciting new client work was lined up. Work that would stretch my thinking and develop my skills. And a BIG decision had been made over Christmas 2024 - that a house move would be a good idea. After 21 years in the same property it felt like a radical choice but the right thing to do for my whole family.

Where am I now?

My client work has gone well, overall. It has been a busy, varied and enjoyable year of work. There have been inevitable challenges along the way, which have at times made it very stressful, but as I look back on what I have (and to be  honest in some cases, haven’t) achieved, I know that I’ve given everything my best shot. My work motto is to strive for excellence not perfection, and I can put a hand on my heart and say I’ve strived for that in everything I have done this year.

And me and my family are adjusting to life in a new house, in a small village. A big change from living right in the centre of a town. Adjusting is the key word – change doesn’t happen overnight and it’s easy to forget that when you’re in the heat of the moment.

Where I am currently brings to mind William Bridges’ Transition model…

William Bridges’ Transition model

The model suggests a transition from Endings, through Neutral Zone to New Beginnings. In reality I’m bouncing around the three – some things I am happy to let go of, but other things have taken me by surprise and continue to do so as the initial exhilaration of moving less than 2 months ago passes. Some new possibilities came straight away – we are lucky enough to back on to open fields and striding out on sunny mornings with the dog has been an absolute delight. Others will take time – we have yet to meet our immediate neighbours, as we both seem to have such busy schedules! Who knows what new relationships will build over the coming months in our new, very friendly, village? And I have decided to find new exercise classes, as the 30 minute round journey to the other ones was tricky to fit into my working day. Turns out that’s easier said than done when you’re busy and currently I’m feeling rather stagnant in terms of physical movement.

What does all of this mean for change in 2026?

Change will undoubtedly continue, as it always does. There will be highs and lows; good times and not so good ones. I will continue to ride the storms and enjoy the good times.

My biggest challenge will be to ensure there’s time for Bridge’s neutral zone – the uncertainty. The unknown. To take time to find a new gym. To make the time to meet new people, whilst still staying connected with our old friends - who are only 15 minutes down the road.

In work it will mean saying yes to new opportunities but maybe saying no to others, maybe ones that seem right now but which may not be such a good fit in a few months’ time. That’s life right? It will mean flexing to fit the needs of client’s as their landscape changes; meeting new partners and associates. Being open to everything that changes outside my sphere of influence may mean for me.

This of course will all guide me to the last stage of Bridges model. The new beginnings. If you’d told me this time last year – when the thought of moving hadn’t even crossed my mind – that I’d be typing this now, happily looking over open fields, I’d have thought you were talking about someone else. And that to me is what change is all about – the unexpected, the uncertain and hopefully exciting new possibilities.

So what will ‘It’s Time to Change’ mean for you in 2026?

·       Will it be minor changes, simply to ride whatever the storm of life throws your way?

·       Will it be major changes in your work or personal life (or both) to help make something new and perhaps needed happen?

·       Or will you be seeking to maintain a status quo?

And how might you use Bridge’s model to manage whatever change comes your way?

Good luck and very best wishes for 2026!!