Top Tips for Smooth Transitions

Transitions can be a little daunting whether you are the transitioner or the transitionee...whether the transition is temporary or permanent.  Transitions can happen when you are leaving a job, going on maternity leave, or just changing responsibilities.  For the sake of this blog, let's focus on the example of transitioning a project to a coworker.  But, I believe these same high level tips can help with many of life's transitions.

First, organize yourself.  I know, go figure.  But, seriously, don't try to do this off the cuff.  You will likely create more work and frustration for everyone involved.  Take a good look at the project directories and files and make sure that they make sense.  I realize not everyone sorts their sock drawer the same way, but if you are going to have to 'over explain' it to your successor, then you probably need to do a little work. 

Once you are in good shape and ready, setup a call or meeting to to a 'talk through' of the materials, process, key information, contacts, etc.  Allow time for questions and go with an agenda of key topics in mind.  It might even be helpful to get a list of questions ahead of time if the person you are transitioning to had enough familiarity to know what to ask prior to the meeting.

Next, if at all possible, have a 'walk through'.  If there is a process and the opportunity presents itself, have them shadow you, or you shadow them in a walk through.  This is the most effective way for everything you said to cement into their mind. 

Lastly, while I have no doubt that your talk through will be riveting and keep their full attention the entire time, they will not remember every word you said.  I know, shocking, since you no doubt remembered every word when it was transitioned to you. :)  Write it down.  Document where the key files are located, who the key contacts are, and an FAQ of things you think they will need to come back and reference.

Then get ready, because if you are transitioning something onto someone's plate, there is little doubt that someone is waiting to transition something onto yours!  Let's hope they prepare as well as you did!

Daily Resolutions

Have you ever made a New Year's Resolution so amazing, so inspiring, so life altering...that you gave up on it in the first week of the new year. Yes, me too!  Guilty.  But, this year, I've decided to do things differently.  But before we can change, let's evaluate what was wrong with the old plan.  Here are the top three reasons we break our resolutions before the crack of February.

1) They are too vague.  "Get Healthy" "Get Out of Debt" "Spend More Family Time".  These all sound nice, and are worthy goals.  But let's face it, if it were that easy, we would all be doing these things already.

2) A lack of planning.  Most of our resolutions require a behavioral change, and while we can almost WILL that to happen for the first week or so.  However, without proper planning to help keep us on the rails when we lose that initial enthusiasm, we are bound to slip up.

3) No measurable victories.  A year is a long time.  When have you reached the goal?  If the goal was to "Get Organized", when have you done it?  What does it mean?  10% more organized?  You can open the doors to the front closet without things falling out?  We often start off strong, then get frustrated when we misstep or don't make the progress we think we should fast enough.

This year, my resolution is to "Do Less and Live More".  Talk about the king of all vague resolutions.  When I mentioned this resolution, a few people took me to task and asked exactly what it meant.  And the truth was, I hadn't thought that far.  I just know that I wanted to slow down a little and enjoy the moments more.  Refer back to points 1-3, and I knew I was setting myself up for a repeat of past failures.

What is the answer? Daily Resolutions.  Pick something specific, something measurable, and something attainable that day that feeds into your bigger resolution. In my case, perhaps it is letting the phone ring so I can finish the game of Jenga with my kids.  Maybe it is making a point of going outside and breathing in the crisp fresh air on a sunny winter day.  Or even just planning a spontaneous outing (yes, I get the irony, but planning it that day is still spontaneous...baby steps folks).  The point is, by giving ourselves a short term, specific and manageable goal, we are setup to succeed.  The good feelings of accomplishment carry over as motivation into the next day.  I can honestly say after the first week that I'm gaining momentum rather than losing it.  Celebrate the mini victories, enjoy your progress and soon you'll look back and that amazing, inspiring, life altering change you aspired for may just be within reach!

Happy New Year!