Transitions – Neutral Zone

William Bridges compares the neutral zone to swinging on a trapeze. You have let go of one bar and yet have not grasp the next bar. You are in “limbo” and it can be a scary and lonely time. Students may have let go of the old job or their old way of life and are now in the midst of classes; they may not quite see what their new life could be, or if they are even capable of achieving the certificate or the new job. Bridges has a series of suggestions for handling this transitional time; these suggestions might provide insights as site coordinator or participant coach for you to help students through this unsettling time.

1.     “Accept your need for this time in the neutral zone.” Let your students know that this change process will take time and that things might seem to be dragging.

2.     “Find a regular time and place to be alone.” You might suggest they find a place where, when they need to, they can sit and “be” and think.

3.     “Begin a log of neutral zone experiences.” They might begin a digital journal or even a blog about working their way through their coursework.

4.     “Take this pause in the action of your life to write an autobiography.” The students might use this to reflect on their lives and see how they were successful in the past and could use that as motivation to continue on their journey.

5.     “Take this opportunity to discover what you really want.” The coursework and the coaching sessions might help them to clarify and solidify their career and life goals. Talking with you as the coach could be a great benefit for them.

6.     “Think of what would be unlived in your life if it ended today.” You can help them imagine what will lie ahead for them when they complete the certificate and move into a skilled 

position, with higher income.

7.     “Take a few days to go on your own version of a passage journey.” Encourage students to maybe take a day to just think about what their future could be if they completed their coursework and found that position they have always wanted. 

Transitions by William Bridges (2004)