Making the best of a required relocation

Posted by JRG on July 18, 2007 6:44 PM PDT

Recommend this? YES NO

So, I'm moving to Portsmouth, New Hampshire in a month to complete a year long internship for my graduate school program. I hear it's an adorable, quaint, charming place which is great, except for that fact that I never in a million years planned on living there, it was dictated to me by a random computer system. SO, I have had a major attitude problem, ruminating every day about the many reasons it's "unfair" and why i don't want to go. THIS MUST STOP because I am going! It will be a year of my life, so I may as well do everything in my power to make it a good one instead of acting like a victim and cutting my nose off to spite my face! I must start planning and making choices that will make the most of my time there.

I will have made every effort to get to know the 2 other interns, I will accept every social invitation i receive for the first month i am there, I will sign up for acting or dance classes to reconnect with things i love and meet new people, i will take advantage of the beach even if i have to wear a sweatshirt, i will not spend every day counting down the number of days til i come home!

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3 Comments

Hi JRG,

I love the success you envision. Kudos to you, JRG! Awesome strategies for once your arrive in your new home- not only do they sound like fun, but it sounds like you are willing to stretch outside your comfort zone a bit. VERY COOL! Oh, and here is another cool thing; when we stretch outside our comfort zone we create a huge potential for growth, learning, and even more potential.

In the meantime, you had mentioned having a "major attitude problem" which is completely understandable. However, it sounds to me like you are not willing (nor wanting) to stick with that attitude for long. That is also awesome! What strategies can you use to help with the attitude?

If may offer one to get the ball rolling...when I am in need of an attitude adjustment, I cop an attitude of gratitude. I stop whatever it is I am doing, take some deep breathes, and then I look around and quickly list 5 things I am grateful for. For example, my comfy chair that I sit in, the roof over my head, etc.

JRG, I wish you a great deal of fun and success with your move. Thank you for sharing with us and please keep us posted!

_____________________________________________________________________
pam thomas| associate certified life & business development coach|www.whatswithinu.com|

Posted by Pam Thomas on July 19, 2007 6:05 AM PDT

Hey there.
One of my most favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou, "Hope and Fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time... Invite one to stay." I'd like to think the same holds true for Happy and Sad. So step into your best happy feet and kick sad-rag to the curb! Your already off to a great start!

Posted by beth on July 24, 2007 8:06 PM PDT

Congrats JRG, on the internship, and on your resolve to explore your temporary home. Sometimes the things we don't "plan" to do are planned FOR us, and can be most magical. I have lived many places, some of my own choosing, and some not. I have found some of the best experiences and most surprising people in the least likely places! Anyway, I live in the area, so feel free to drop me a note off-line, and I can give you some suggestions and information about it. Enjoy!

Julie Jaquiss Collins

Julie Jaquiss Collins, MBA, is a 17-year veteran of working to untangle the business side of our mixed up health care system. No wonder she went looking for her spiritual side!