I was planning that I’d be kind to my body and made a promise that by 45 I would be “off the tools” in my work and be in a more strategic role using my organisational skills more.
My work in the US was the beginning of this transitional phase as I became more and more involved in the Project & Contract management side of the landscape construction industry and less in the trenches. I was 45 about to turn 46.
Returning to work in Ireland I was faced with a few challenges which left me back heavily involved in the manual aspects of our work – not a problem other than I was going in the wrong direction with my plan.
Planning for Change?
Two things sparked a recognition & realisation with me this week that I had not really thought about.
1st was a LinkedIn update from @JoeDeSena which is very closely aligned with my own personal mantra or mission statement:
“If you fear failure you will struggle for success”
Joe is saying remove the cushion that Plan B, C & D offer you. If you have nothing to fall back on you are forced to go forwards and make what you have work. Don’t plan for change by enabling a get out clause.
Coinciding with this, there was also a post in a Landscape Professionals forum where business owners and leaders in my industry converse and share thoughts and information. A self mentoring group with a diverse blend of contributors.
One of the posts resonated naturally as it was a similar vein to my own thinking – 46 years old, body knackered, looking for thoughts & input from others in the group and what their Plan B was.
If you fear failure you will struggle for success #changemanagement #projectmanagement Share on XThe responses were interesting and covered a lot of ground; “28 feeling like 50”, “Plan F..”, “change to lawn care”, “hope to consult” though nothing seemed like concrete plans bar 1 in ±65 replies who was similar to myself.
Changing the Plan?
Looking down the sights at 49 the start of 2020 was where I gave myself a kick, reflected that the planned change was not going the right direction and I needed to address that.
I did my personal SWOT. I laid out the SWOT for my current workplace. Highlighted that both were not aligning with the plan.
Changing the plan is not an option. A Plan B is not an option, there is no Plan B. #planningforchange #changemanagement Share on XA return to the US was an option, still transitionary and uncertain though as visa status is still an obstacle and hard to make long term arrangements.
Time for Change
Changing the plan is not an option. A Plan B is not an option, there is no Plan B.
If all variables are fixed by not having options, where there is no choice but to move forwards, then move forwards is what you must do.
Moving forwards I’ve changed the only thing I allow myself to change – my work situation.
An opportunity in a project management environment, in a pure project management role, in a different industry is grasped with excitement and anticipation.
Challenges will abound as I transition into a new very active area with a steep learning curve. I will grasp these challenges with both hands as learning is how you move forwards.
Moving forwards is how you avoid stagnation.
Avoiding stagnation requires change. Let change be your constant. Not Plan B. Not status quo.
Change and move.
#RunningMatters
Featured Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash
Article Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
