"Passing the Baton: How Do You Quit Your Life's Work?"by Joann Lublin, in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, is a story about handing over your "baby," the business you created and built, to a successor. You've put your heart and soul into developing this business. You've engendered loyalty among clients, customers, and employees. How can someone else possibly replace you?
You've heard about people's agonizing over this decision and process. About people who hand it over and then stay on much too long to "help" with the transition. People who have stepped aside, in title only, but still try to exert much too much control over the day to day workings or the philosophy or policy of their beloved business. You don't want to be one of these, but, here you are, verging on being one of them.
How can you prepare yourself for this sea change? What feelings come up for you as you imagine departing? Abandonment, loss, sadness, inadequacy?
Or did you already leave and only now after the honeymoon period of doing all the things you thought you wanted to do (it might take only a few months' time), you are second-guessing yourself. Did I do the right thing? What can I replace my business life with that will give me the same excitement and challenge?
These are often-asked soul-searching questions of people who've been vital, involved, movers and shakers in their fields.
If you find yourself agonizing over this separation process, you don't need to do it on your own. As a life and career coach, I work with people who are transitioning out of their business and transitioning into the next step. People who are highly motivated to do the right thing for their business, their clients and customers. People who want to create the next adventure for themselves. Contact me at karma@lifespringcoaching.com for a complimentary telephone session.
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