Does your heart pound and your palms turn sweaty at the mention of the word “change”? Do you anticipate a tumble off the balance beam?  Or, do you embrace change and welcome it with open arms?  Kristin Zambucka said “Life is full of change. The good passes, but so does the bad.  Nothing remains the same in this unstable world. When we are down at the bottom of the pit of despair, the only way to go is up.  If we only wait a little, the cycle – the endless, unfalling tide of things, will sweep us up again.  Without darkness we would not appreciate the light when it comes.” 

So, what is this cycle that sweeps us up again and again?  In their book, Life Launch, authors Frederic M. Hudson and Pamela D. McLean call it the Renewal Cycle and it follows a pattern of four predictable phases:
• Phase 1- Go For It! - This is the most positive phase and you are loving every minute of it.  You are reaching for your goals; you’re committed and moving forward and seeking your dream.  Each day brings new horizons to conquer and you remain optimistic about life. But then, the challenges begin to fade and you settle into a routine and find that your zest is diminishing.  So begins Phase 2.
• Phase 2 - Stuck in the Doldrums – This is the all too familiar down time, when you are feeling heavy and out of sync.  You’ve lost interest in your dreams and with others around you.  Your motivation decreases, you feel trapped, and you become defensive. You can easily become a victim and stay in this phase for a long time because you get comfortable and don’t want to take a risk on a new direction.  Actually, you have two choices here: you can renew the script from Phase 1 and change its course or characters (this is called a mini-transition), or you can totally discard and end the above chapter and begin the transition to a new chapter.  It’s up to you.  If you choose to end this chapter then you go into Phase 3.
• Phase 3 - Cocooning – You have said good-bye to your old life structure and now begins the emotional time to heal and reflect on what comes next.  “When you cocoon, you take stock of your life, talk to yourself, and get in touch with your core values and feelings.”  You are often quiet, withdrawn, and emotional during this phase as you replenish yourself.  When you are ready to leave this phase you will find yourself with new energy and a new script for the next chapter in your life.
• Phase 4 - Getting Ready for the Next Chapter – Hudson and McLean liken this phase to being in school again. You are networking, learning, creating, and confident.  You are exploring new avenues and optimistic about the future.  You can feel the excitement coming on again and soon will be ready to Go For It!  Thus completes the cycle as you move into Phase 1 again.

The authors have come up with The Magic Formula of eight words as a way of remembering this life cycle:
• Hold On – Hold on to what is working in your life and what you value.
• Let Go – Let go of what is not working so that you can move forward.
• Take On – Learn, grow, and take advantage of what life has to offer.
• Move On – You are on your way to a new beginning.

You can become a change master when you recognize these four phases and are able to find meaning and purpose in all your life events.  Accept change, be with it, welcome it and follow the cycle as it plays out.  Gain greater confidence and excitement as you move towards new chapters in your life.