In reality, or at least in our emotional realities (which tend to take precedence over "objective reality"); change begins with an ending. Before we can move into the new, we must first leave the old. As William Bridges describes it in his book Transitions, transition is the emotional process we go through to get from something old to something new.

Before you arrive at the new location, you must leave home, travel through what Bridges calls the "Neutral Zone" which is neither home nor the intended destination. The process of breaking away from the ending, getting used to the idea of what you've lost as well as that with which you're not yet comfortable and slowly warming up to the idea of the new situation.

Following are 8 Tips to Successfully Navigate Change

1. Challenge yourself to remain open, allowing new ideas into your current reality.

2. Seek out the knowledge and/or people you need to help you in the process.

3. Communicate effectively what you are feeling and experiencing to others.

4. Remember fear is best viewed as "False Evidence Appearing Real". Trust only actual evidence, fear is a stop gate.

5. Look for signs of accomplishing change, not just involvement in the activity around change.

6. Create a support system around you. Carefully choose individuals who will cheer you on and activities that will fuel you.

7. Remember change is a process. Reward yourself along the way for incremental progress. Take time to stop and review how far you've come.

8. Be prepared to feel a little resistance to the notion that it's time to change and learn something new.