Which comes 1ST in transition, Adapting Your Mindset or Understanding the process ?

2016-01-30T11:13:32-05:00

Understanding the value of connections & good resume's are an important part of the process but what about the Optimal Mindset for Success?

Response by SGM Earl Richburg made Jan 30 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-01-30T11:22:31-05:00

I believe it's the same question as; "The chicken or the egg," which come first?
Looking back at my transition, my answer would lean toward mindset first and then understanding the process, but only by a small margin. What I mean by that is they both have to be attacked strategically at the same time.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 30 at 2016 11:23 AM

2016-01-30T11:23:54-05:00

The 1st step is realizing that you in the process of transitioning Doug Macdonald .
Once you have been told or else you have initiated the transition process you can expect to go through stages of grief in many cases as you are leaving something which has a deep emotional attachment for many reasons.
The 2nd step is hopefully discussing your transition with near and dear family members and friends who can offer sage counsel including resume development and reviewing what you have written.
A change of mindset is required if you are going into something very different from what you are transitioning from. If you are doing something similar the mindset change will not be as dramatic.
If you have marketable skills that will help in the transition process.
If you are retiring based on length of service or disability you will have a steady income which cane give you breathing room before you embark on a follow-on career.
If you are leaving without any retirement income you will probably need to start looking for work more quickly.
Understanding the process of transition may or may not be beneficial. Certainly understanding your role, responsibilities and benefits of transitioning out of an organization is important. Understanding organizations and mechanisms which can provide support external to your organization is also important.

Response by SGM Earl Richburg made Jan 30 at 2016 11:24 AM

2016-01-30T11:24:39-05:00

I believe it is the same question as, " The chicken or the egg," which comes first. In my transition experiance I would lean toward mindset first by a small margin before understanding the process. Both should be stregicly attacked at the same time.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 30 at 2016 11:30 AM

2016-01-30T11:30:41-05:00

I would say process first, because if you miss some of the procedural so early on, you miss long term benefits. Second, adjusting your mindset a few degrees at a time is part of the process. I'll let you know how it goes.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 11:50 AM

2016-01-30T11:50:02-05:00

I think they actually go hand in hand (ying and yang)... neither is a "fixed" characteristic. One may be easier to discuss as a process (resumes, networking, etc) but your mental attitude is also being prepared and educated as you evolve to this new entrance of systems.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2016 12:19 PM

2016-01-30T12:19:52-05:00

Preparation is key. I only served four years, but before I was discharged, I knew that I wanted to get a good paying job, obtain a degree, and work on the Space Program. I did all three. At the time, the military was not looked on with favor, so my mindset was one of having to adjust to the civilian world the best that I could. I had a solid plan, and I was able to accomplish all of my goals. The best mindset is to realize that you are competing with folks that have never served. Be better prepared than your competition and you will succeed.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 30 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-01-30T13:00:15-05:00

I think you need to understand the process first

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Jan 30 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-01-30T18:53:58-05:00

Both need to occur - but before you can adapt you need to know what exactly you want to transition to. "Begin with the end in mind."

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jan 31 at 2016 8:55 AM

2016-01-31T08:55:47-05:00

Doug Macdonald I think there needs to be a balance among all three (3). It's just like addign the right ingredients to a recipe. If you put too much emphasis on any one aspect the entree will not sit well at the dinning room table. There needs to be a strong transition program that is refine over time and updated consistently based on feedback (not one size fits all). Individuals need to prepare for transition like taking a final exam that will make a difference in next year's scholarship or grant funding (survival); and finally each individual needs to research the process (the good, the bad, and the ugly). There are so many resources available today on the Internet highway of information that service members didn't have 30 years ago. Caution though - information overload! Too much information can cuase mis-steps and anxiety. Doug is an expert in thise area and has been helping veterans now for sometime! I'm very comfortable in recommending that you reach out to him for more information - great source! Anyway, that is just my opinion on the question at hand!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2016 9:20 AM

2016-01-31T09:20:19-05:00

Understand the process will help your mind be prepared and at ease so adapting will just happen easily.

Response by Doug Macdonald made Feb 6 at 2016 5:35 AM

2016-02-06T05:35:58-05:00

Now it's time to do what I joined RP to do. Provide a Civilian Advocate's perspective. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, professor or academic. The only letters following my name are L.I.F.E.

I am an experiential author and speaker. In this case, I would like to share the experience of a PGA Tour Player who had to transition to a double amputee with a traumatic spinal injury, restricted to a wheelchair, to a successful author and inspirational speaker.

First let me say THANK YOU! All of your input on this questions has helped me understand your perspectives. I always try to seek to understand to be understood. I understand better now.

The answer, in my experience, is mindset FIRST. The 1st step in my transition was to figure out what I was going to do next. This required a serious inner self-evaluation. Not reaching out for help but reaching in.

What was I passionate about? What would wake me up in the mornings with a desire to do what I do even if I didn't get paid? What is my true purpose? Do I just want a JOB & avoid all these questions?

This is the #1 thing the process doesn't address. What process are you understanding and why? Is it a process that has been predetermined by someone else? Is it a process that you determined you are truly passionate about?

The Mindset that has been developed by a process is limited to the teachings of the process. The Mindset that is developed through inner self-evaluation reveals passion that is individually driven, therefore, unlimited!

This simple book, which I Co-Authored with an Army SOCOM Veteran (Michael I. Kaplan), will help lead you through this revealing journey. Forget the title. Just look at the 7st Chapters in the table of contents & read the reviews and you too will UNDERSTAND.

It's available on Amazon and the "Sneak Peak" reveals the table of contents free. Decide for yourselves. Good luck on your journey. I am always available to answer your questions.

Response by Vikki Nicometo made Feb 9 at 2016 1:58 PM

2016-02-09T13:58:45-05:00

In my days in corporate recruiting, I created and ran veteran recruitment programs. What I saw over and over when interviewing vets that were transitioning was that they knew the process, but they didn't know WHAT they wanted. I was hiring transitioning officers and they often worked with search firms that would help them with the process. My frustration, though, was that MOST that I interviewed could not tell me WHAT they wanted to do. They used really vague things like "operations" or "leadership." I had the strong sense that they knew why they were transitioning out of the military but had NO or very little idea of what they really wanted to do in the civilian world.
If I could give one piece of advice, I'd say, this is an amazing opportunity to begin a new career - really do some soul searching or hire a coach to help you figure out what you REALLY want to do. Life is about a lot more than just earning a good paycheck. Find your career/calling that you're excited to get out of bed to go to each morning. It's worth investing the time, money, etc. to know what you want before you go looking. If you don't know what you want, you'll take whatever comes along. And I have seen too many veterans regret doing that!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Feb 9 at 2016 3:36 PM

2016-02-09T15:36:42-05:00

That depends on how a person measure Success, because a leader out the wire success is mission complete, while a soldier success is coming back alive and in one piece.

Response by Vikki Nicometo made Feb 9 at 2016 6:00 PM

2016-02-09T18:00:58-05:00

I'm going to add on to what I said earlier because of a conversation I just had. I was talking to one of the first vets I hired when I started a veteran hiring program at a former employer. he and I stay in touch and have become good friends.
He said that when he was transitioning out of the military, he was mainly thinking about what skills he had and what kind of job that might lead him to in the civilian world. He said NO ONE ever asked him what he WANTED to do! (Even though he worked with a military/veteran search firm.)
They talked a lot about his resume and his experience, but no one talked about his interests or passions. To me, this is totally putting the cart before the horse.
I would encourage, no BEG, any transitioning service members to please put some thought into what you really want to do long before you start transitioning out. You will be spending 8-12 hours a day in your job. I hope you find one you LOVE and not that you have to suffer through.