Lessons From A Life Transition
By Guest Contributor Nancy Light, Certified Success Coach
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Two and a half years ago, happy in my work and looking forward to a few more years at Wine Institute, there was a surprising development. The organization announced plans to move its HQ - my office - to Sacramento after 85 years in San Francisco. The move made sense for Wine Institute, but there was no way I would move or could commute to Sacramento. Remote work arrangements were not a long-term option pre-Covid. I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me.
That unexpected news set me on a journey that led to my leaving the wine business, getting certified in life coaching and launching my own practice last year. Here's what I learned along the way.
Accept the Change:
After 20+ years at Wine Institute, and more in wine marketing and communications, I wasn’t ready to leave. I felt disappointed, angry, and resistant to the idea. During this time, I happened across a magazine, Common Ground, buried under papers on my desk and opened to an article titled "Navigating Change, The Art of the Soft Pivot" by Abigail Diaz Juan. The lead quote read: "The road was turning. I wanted to keep going straight." It was about how change is just part of shifts in life direction that we all experience. And that we only make it harder and get in the way when we resist. It made sense to me at a deep level. It helped me to adjust my attitude in a relatively short time from resisting the change to seeing how I could make it work for me, my team and my colleagues.
Rethink Your Plan:
Accepting the change opened me up to asking what I wanted my life to be like in the future. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of having more than one career. A friend had recently become a certified life coach, a field I’d been drawn to decades earlier. I took her to lunch to learn more. I hired her to be my coach. We worked together for almost a year uncovering what my next “dream” chapter could be. It turned out that coaching checked all the boxes. I researched programs and enrolled in The Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching. I gave six months notice and started my training..
Expect Grieving, Invite Grace:
I expected to miss dear colleagues, members and industry friends but I wasn't prepared for the grieving that is a natural part of change. I hadn’t been in the office for eight months at one point and found myself putting off every planned visit. When I explored why I kept doing that, I burst into tears and finally acknowledged my sadness around leaving. I was lucky to be involved in recruiting a wonderful successor and two other positions in my department. That benefited the organization but also helped me feel like I had some control over ensuring a smooth transition. I made the decision to make my departure as seamless as possible to honor the organization and industry that were a big part of my life. It wasn't always easy but paid huge dividends in the kindness and consideration I received in return.
Surprise! You Got What You Wanted:
Even when you've been working towards a change for a year, it's still a surprise when you get there. This is new territory and it takes time to figure out what works. At first, I tried to muscle through the process of leaving one world and entering another by packing my newly-open schedule. That didn’t work. This was a shift of mind, body and heart and what I needed was to slow things down. For me, the best medicine was walking my dog, spending time outdoors, yoga, meditation, coaching and being coached. Eight months later, I haven’t yet “figured out'' my new life but I’m more comfortable with being in transition.
Cultivate A Beginner's Mind:
Despite decades of business experience, I had only worked at my own business for six months, years earlier. I was certified in life coaching with plenty of hours under my belt, but I wasn't certified in launching a new business. I had to let go of the idea that I was an expert and cultivate a hyper-curious beginner's mind. I had to be willing to make mistakes to learn and, in doing so, be vulnerable and open to the process of growth. Going into 2022, my mantra is: Dare to Fail.
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Nancy Light enjoyed a 30+ year career in the wine industry, 24 of those heading up communications for California’s Wine Institute. She’s now a certified life coach and Energy Leadership Master Practitioner @nancylight.com
What We're Reading:
Here's what has piqued our interest this week in the world of wine and mindfulness.
Wine’s Most Inspiring People Awards – Stacy Briscoe for Wine Industry Advisor
ABG’s own Cathy Huyghe has been named as one of the US Most Inspiring People and we are thrilled – congratulations Cathy! Read about the nominations here.
The Elephant in the Cellar: The Unspoken Challenges for Mothers in Wine – Jess Lander for Wine Business Monthly
When it comes to child-rearing, female winemakers and viticulturists need more support, flexibility and company policies in place.
Is dry January beneficial? – Michael Apstein for Decanter
Are you in the first few days of a self-imposed dry January? Dr Michael Apstein explains how our bodies process alcohol and if a New Year detox works.
New And Classic Low-No Alcohol Wines – Just In Time For Moderate January – Liz Thach for Forbes.com
After the dining and wining excesses of the holidays, many consumers are looking for healthier food and drink options during the month of January. Following is an overview of some of the new and traditional low and no alcohol wine options, also referred to as “no-low” or “better for you” wine.
Meet the Community:
Here we meet some of the talented folks who make our profession so dynamic.
Photo credit: Bob McClenahan
Nancy Light, Owner, Nancy Light Coaching & Communications, (California, USA)
Years in the Industry:
Going on 40 years, yikes! I started in the wine and spirits business in New York at Kobrand Corporation in the early 80's. I was already fascinated by wine when I walked into their beautiful Georgian brownstone on East 40th Street to interview for an assistant ad manager position. I knew I had to work there.
I moved to San Francisco a few years later, eventually joining Wine Institute where I did two stints heading up communications for the California wine industry, including marketing and public affairs. The last "tour" lasted for 17 years. It is an amazing organization that does so much for the wine business in the U,S, and beyond, and I loved my work there. In between, I was Vice President of Public Relations for the Robert Mondavi Corp. at a time of many new joint ventures and a lot of change. I worked with so many wonderful people there who have gone on to become leaders in the California wine business.
My Top Three Challenges to Wellness:
The yin/yang of life is so fascinating to me. All of my challenges are around the things that make me thrive.
Keeping My Love of Food and Wine in Balance - I live to enjoy good food and wine. It's one of the reasons I was drawn to this business. I am married to a former chef who beautifully prepares meals and the dinner hour is a sacred time to slow down, connect after a busy day and savor life. I like nothing more than to sit at the dinner table talking but the temptation to have a second helping or third glass of wine is one I have to work on daily to resist. I've also had to adapt my diet after being diagnosed with mild celiac disease last year.
Getting Out of My Head - I'm a thinker who has a million ideas every day (see wellness challenge #3 below). I'm physically active, exercise daily, sing and perform among other hobbies but I still regularly struggle to get out of my head and into the present moment with body awareness. I know how important this is to my overall health, sanity, creativity and intuition so it's a priority for me to address.
Trying to Do Too Much - I have a tendency to judge myself by how much I accomplish in a day. There's just so much I want to experience and I want to fit it all in. I'm a huge list maker and love to check things off. Unfortunately, the lists I make are so long, there's no way I can get everything done. Since I've had my own business and more control of my days, I'm under-scheduling to break the habit and also examining my definition of a "successful" day.
How I Keep It Together to Stay Well:
Animals contribute so much to my well-being. It's unconditional love. I've had cats and dogs throughout my life, and now live with a small terrier mix who loves to walk. We log at least three miles a day rain or shine. I love hiking the many wonderful trails of northern California and spending as much time as possible near water, ideally, at a beach.
Yoga is also great medicine for me: mental, spiritual and physical. Minor back issues and occasional aches and pains are gone since I started practicing regularly. I've also added meditation to my routine. I'm trying to make it daily because the benefits of even five minutes of centering or conscious breathing are significant.
Through my coaching studies and practice, I've come to see firsthand the importance of slowing down and taking time, whether for reflection, exercise, meditation or a nap. I've always made time in my life for fun but I now understand how it contributes to my energy and what I have to offer to others.
What Inspires Me:
The capacity of people to love. Tempting as it is these days to feel despair for the future, I believe we have the capacity to create a thriving, equitable and just world, and there are so many amazing people dedicated to that. We need to support them.
A Quote I Love:
“Life is a perfect adventure. A game that cannot be won or lost, only played.” Source: Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC)
You can connect with Nancy on Facebook at Nancy Light, and online at nancylight.com
