How to embrace ‘Letting go’ this Autumn
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Autumn is a time of transition and a season for letting go. By simply taking a walk outdoors, we can see it all around. Trees are changing colour; the lush greens of summer are being replaced by rich golden hues, and crisp leaves pepper the pathways.
As we wave goodbye to summer, we accept that change is afoot. Nature is a wise teacher and constantly shows us that life is cyclical. We need to release the old to make space for the new. Just like the seasons, we will all have periods in our lives and careers where we need to let go and make a change. It could be changing habits, behaviours or perceptions to enable us to be a better manager, leader or confidante.
To help us reflect on what we could let go of this Autumn, ask yourself these questions:
What habits, relationships, behaviours or thoughts are no longer serving me well?
What is holding me back from growing personally as well as professionally?
Am I clinging onto anything because it is familiar rather than fruitful?
Bad habits can prevent growth if you don’t exert control
As I’m sure you can relate, I often watch Netflix to ‘unwind’. But mindlessly watching endless episodes isn’t relaxing - it’s compulsive. This is where I need to exert some control.
Having reflected on my evening habit, I’ve decided to limit myself to one hour of small screen indulgence and then read before bed. Reading fuels me with ideas and positivity, whilst allowing my mind to unwind rather than be numbed by binge watching.
Professionally, I’m going to let go of my Covid-world comforts that have wrapped around me for the last 20 months.
With more screen and less face time, Covid has impacted how many go about their business. For me, I’m going to jump straight out and into the world of face to face networking again. While I still can. Meeting people in real life brings a better connection and allows me to truly get to know my clients and peers.
Letting go involves change, which can feel daunting
In order to let go, you first need to understand what is working well and what isn’t. Once you have identified what you can let go of, this is where the real challenge begins. We are often not brave enough to try the unknown and will simply stick with what’s familiar.
Last year I had a client who was keen to take the next step in her career. She had been with the company for a number of years, and it was clear there was limited scope for development. This wasn't the only issue; there was a negative top down culture, and communication, collaboration and career progression was minimal. Despite this, my client kept questioning whether she should leave.
“Perhaps I should be grateful for what I have?
Maybe the problem is me, not the organisation?
What if I’m just not good enough and I’m dreaming too big?
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Self reflection can be difficult, but this is where I can help. We worked together on 360 appraisals, in-house psychometrics tests and did a deep dive on her strengths, successes and explored development areas. We needed to identify the block on career progression.
From our discussions, it was clear she was a strong, effective leader and a well rounded team player. Her peers loved and respected her and her line managers couldn’t state any areas of development in appraisals.
The issue was the environment.
If she was honest, she knew she wanted to leave when she first came to me, but she needed to get to the stage where she could LET GO.
LET GO...
...of the self limiting belief that she wasn’t good enough.
...of the comfort of being in a job she could do with ease.
...of the narrative that said “You shouldn’t want more, you’re being greedy.
When she did, she unleashed her ability to flourish.
Following this and the work we did on her CV and confidence-boosting interview training, she was offered not one, but two jobs. Both two levels higher than her current role, plus the job she accepted had a 30% increase on her basic pay plus bonuses.
She is now enjoying a role in a company that excites her, where she is both professionally challenged and supported by her leaders and peers.
“Letting go demands great courage. And sometimes, it’s hard to do it alone.
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