Intentional Endings
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
I have been thinking a lot about “Endings” recently. As a coach, I have on-going endings with coaching clients. In my personal life, I have experienced many endings to relationships including a marriage. As a business person, I have been through a number of endings with employers, partners, and clients. I have learned through hard earned personal experience that the way we end things matters a lot. My former wife and I ended our marriage with intention, gratitude, and compassion. We were able to amicably raise our kids together, support each other along the way, and remain amicable many years later. Our kids have told us that they benefited greatly from the positive example we set in how we ended our marriage.
When it comes to relationships, coaching/therapy, and employment, endings matter. Intentional endings allow for closure, reflection, and growth. When we intentionally end a relationship, a coaching/therapy engagement, or employment, we create space for new experiences, learning, and development.
Relationship Endings
Intentional endings in relationships mean recognizing when a relationship has run its course and accepting that it is time to move on. It means having an honest conversation with the other person about what didn’t work and expressing gratitude for the things that did. Letting go of a relationship that no longer serves us can be challenging, but it opens up the opportunity for new and healthier relationships to come into our lives.
Coaching Endings
In coaching/therapy, intentional endings mean setting clear goals and expectations from the beginning, and working together towards achieving those goals. It also means taking the time to evaluate and celebrate progress, and having a final session to reflect on the work that was done, lessons learned, and next steps. This helps clients to feel empowered, take ownership of their progress, and to move forward without their coach/therapist.
Employment Endings
When it comes to employment, intentional endings mean providing closure to colleagues and clients, and the opportunity to express gratitude for the experience. Clear communication and a respectful exit can lead to positive referrals and the potential for future opportunities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, intentional endings in relationships, coaching/therapy, and employment are an important part of personal growth and development. They allow us to take stock of the progress that we have made, recognize what we have achieved, and move forward with intention and confidence. Whether it feels positive or negative, it is important to recognize, honor, and intentionally end old chapters to make way for new beginnings. Rather than resisting the change, we can embrace it and learn from it.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”