Embrace change and you can become more.
Change is inevitable, but navigating it with confidence and purpose is a skill—one that author and speaker Connie Sokol has mastered through experience and reflection.
Connie shared how to embrace life’s transitions and become more through the process.
The Five Feelings of Change
Connie introduced a roadmap for navigating change, one that mirrors the emotional journey many of us experience. “The first one is denial, and then there’s resistance, and then there’s exploration, and then there’s settling in, and then there’s excitement,” she explained.
Rather than viewing change as a disruption, she encouraged us to see it as a path to becoming. “It’s not about arriving and getting it done,” Connie said. “It’s more about the becoming and feeling all the feels of the journey.” Each step, she emphasized, is a sacred space for growth.
Stepping Stones for the Journey
To help us move forward with intention, Connie outlined three key stepping stones:
Celebrate What Was
Connie reminded us to “pause and savor all that you’ve done and all that you’ve become.” She noted that too often, especially as women, we rush to the next task without honoring our accomplishments.
Focus Forward with Purpose
To find clarity in what’s next, Connie recommended using a simple but powerful tool: a Venn diagram that intersects talents, interests and contributions.
“Once you do that, you write them in the sweet spot… and you end up with three or four words that you look at and go, ‘I know what I love to do. I know what I’m good at. And I know how to show up,’” she said. This clarity, she added, opens the door to new opportunities and renewed passion.
Don’t Do It Alone
“The stepping stones are magical because it’s who is stepping with you,” Connie said. She emphasized the importance of community and sisterhood. Whether it’s a friend, colleague, or mentor, having someone to walk with you makes all the difference.
From Hard Feelings to Gratitude
Change often brings discomfort, but Connie reminded us that sitting with those feelings could lead to something beautiful. “If you’re rooted in the big three—the priorities, the bigger picture, and the higher power—every hard feeling somehow takes us back to gratitude,” she said.
As a final encouragement, Connie shared a powerful truth: “You don’t lose anything. You just get more.” Whether you’re facing a career shift, a personal transformation, or simply the next chapter of life, remember that change is not just about what’s next—it’s about who you’re becoming along the way.
Find more advice from Connie at conniesokol.com.
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