Model of Transition (COVID-19 AND SPORT 4 of 4)
- Dr Paul Wendon-Blixrud
- Jul 23, 2020
- 5 min read
This is the second part of the Change and Transition post, so if you haven’t already read the first it would make sense to do so :)
So, lets have a quick review of my COVID-19 posts so far. All the posts regarding COVID-19 and Sport have highlighted the need to ADAPT and CHANGE in order to develop and survive (amongst other things). So naturally I presented a ‘model of change’ in the last post and will present a ‘model of transition’ in this.
Firstly, a reminder of the difference between Change and Transition…
Change – to make or become different
Transition - process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another
In short, the Change Model helps understand the key steps in order to make a successful change. The Transition Model helps understand what it can be like during the period of change, you could say helping move from an ‘old normal’ to a ‘new normal’!
TRANSITION MODEL
I don’t know how many of you actively think about the phases of a transition, or just experience a whole bunch of emotions and differing behaviours when trying to make a change without thinking much about it? More often than not it’s the latter, so don’t worry. Hopefully this model will help you navigate the period between the ‘old normal’ and the ‘new normal’ – the period of transition! And if it’s not too obvious then this is why I could be of help to you ;)
Similar to the previous post I will take you on a quick trip through the Transition Model, using the same simple example of a tennis player changing from a single handed backhand to a two handed backhand.
As you can see there is a lot going on in the model above, a lot of arrows, pictures and words capturing thoughts and emotions.
The model goes from left to right, however, we may go through the stages any number of times. Mainly because there are always lots of changes that we have to cope with, or we suddenly realise something new that has meant we need to do something different. And we may go through these phases at any speed, we could move between phases in minutes or it may take months. No matter how quick or slow we move through these phases, they will have an impact on our feelings and behaviours – you want to know why we do things, then read on!
What is important is to know where we are regarding the transition, that it is just a natural part of dealing with change, and that there is some type of end point… well, until another change comes along.
“change is the only constant in life.”
Heraclitus - Greek philosopher
So here we go…
We know that change is coming (moving to a two handed backhand), we don’t know what the change will bring (“will it work?”), we are unsettled as it is something new, we question if we can cope (“can I adapt to it, am I good enough?”) and feel anxious about the unknown – all very normal feelings, we just don’t want them to dominate our behaviours!
We are starting to practice the two handed backhand. We can be happy that we are getting on with the change, we are moving forwards. Alternatively we could take a trip into denial and just pretend that everything will be the same (not actually put in the practice and play with a single hand backhand) – we all know how this one turns out...
So change starts to happen (practicing and using a two handed backhand in matches) and can feel fearful due to the impact it may have on us (may lose more points on the backhand as still learning), and if it seems all too much (“I can’t do this”) then we could feel under threat (“my rankings will drop, people will think I’m rubbish”).
During this period we may well feel angry at ourselves (“why did I agree to this” and others (probably the coach)) for the disruption that has happened, and experience guilt (don’t get me started on guilt! That’s a whole series of posts, far too many people let it dictate their lives when there is no reason for them feeling that way in the first place… I’ll stop there).
We may also question ourselves (who am I? “I’m not good enough to be a tennis player”) because life has become quite unsettled and potentially feel low / depressed. At points we may also feel very disillusioned with the whole thing (“this new backhand is not worth it") and want to just go (stop practicing, lose motivation to play etc.), leave it all behind! But we also know how this one works out…
There is a danger that if we get overwhelmed by all that is happening, and our difficulties with it, then we could just become ‘anti change’ (hostile), this never ends well either…
However, if we can manage to have some type of vision of ourselves in the future (‘new normal’ – an image / glimpse of when the two handed backhand has worked, hold on to that memory / image), then we will start to accept it, be happy with it. If you see it from another perspective, if you are actively engaged in the changes (it is your decision to have a two handed backhand) and shape the future then it can be exciting, an opportunity for improvement / moving forward (this is the good bit!).
So there are the ups and downs of moving from one position to another, from the old to the new, from a single to a two handed backhand, from pre-COVID to post-COVID, the old version of your sport to the new version.
Do you recognise these phases when going through changes, whether they are changes in the past or whilst adapting and changing due to the pressures of COVID?
Think about how you have managed previously and how you could have done things differently, or congratulate yourself on managing the feelings and behaviours associated with transitions.
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If this was a children's book the moral of the story would be something along the lines of "recognise your feelings, manage them, adapt and move forwards"
- you can see why I don't write children's books!
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As in life, sport, competition, change and transitions, there will always be ups and downs. It's just how we go about understanding them, managing them and adapting to become more successful.
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