The 2010 Olympic Winter Games are in their final days. A nation jumped on the bandwagon while many others dedicated their careers and personal lives for several years. Sacrifice comes with many facades to make the dream a reality.

The end of the Games is abrupt. Hopefully everyone is left with great memories but when the excitement wanes, normal life can be a letdown. Transition is a very real cycle and for those caught in the midst of it, understanding the process may help.

The first internal process is dealing with loss. Even the “good” changes in life (like pulling off a great Olympic Games) can lead to a sense of loss and sadness. Saying goodbye and letting go of the way things used to be is a crucial step in transition and although you will hopefully take new friendships and successes with you, it is imperative to let go. You can do this by first celebrating your experience in your own way. Make a scrapbook, write about your experience and celebrate with friends.

The next shift is commonly called entering the “neutral zone.” Some will feel excited to move to the next step while others may feel uncertain and disoriented. Either way, there is an opportunity to revisit your priorities and goals. It is important to use your unique coping techniques during this time, much as you would to deal with stress. Some ideas are to focus on your health and spend time doing the things you love.

Finally, transition leads full circle to recognizing the need to move forward. Envisioning what your “post-Olympic” life will look like is beneficial. Do you need a holiday or time to reconnect with friends or family?

These transitional stages may last a few days or much longer. The goal is to relish and celebrate your unique experience, but let go to welcome new possibilities.

And if you’re not ready to wrap it all up, remember we still have the Paralympics.

Cathy Goddard is Principal of Lighthouse Visionary Strategies. Lighthouse offers: meeting design and facilitation, training and learning solutions, service and selling strategies to take your organization to the next level. Cathy can be reached at cathy@lighthousestrategies.ca or 604.905.8660.