Transformation change is not easy. If it were we would all be top athletes, top businessmen, perfect family members and have abundant bank accounts.
When we need to invest in ourselves to grow, whether it is in sport, business or personal, there are usually some barriers to change which get us stuck, and stops forward progress.
I previously learnt the model from a mentor, Matt Levars, and have had success and assisted others through applying the steps, all the steps!
1. Handle The Guilt
Guilt is a heavy word but we all carry it at some level. Before change we recognise we are not where we could be. Whether it is our fault, another’s fault, or an unfortunate circumstance, we need to move past the reason, take the lessons and move forward. Whether it was a bad sport result, a missed promotion, a recognition of non functional behaviour, moving forward is always the solution. The past cannot be changed, we live in the now which defines our future. If we don’t handle and resolve our guilt it will be a barrier and a hindrance to progress.
2. Bombard yourself with success
There will be many good news stories out there in your area of change. People who have succeeded in the area, made the change. Find podcasts, books, biographies. Consider a mentor, a coach, how did they succeed, what is their thinking, their outlook. What do they do?
Turn off the mass media. Media, including the news, exists only to sell media. sensationalised bad news and threats to society sells. Surround yourself with good people, good culture, good stories about succeeding in areas you aspire too.
3. Cultivate discipline
Turn up with your “A” game, identify the things you need to do, to be who you need to be to achieve the change. Action without procrastination. It’s like brushing your teeth, you don’t compromise, you do it every day. Be the same with the actions needed to achieve your transformation change. Imagine a camera on you all day with your mentor or coach watching, then act as if they are monitoring you 24/7.
4. Follow a system
You are not the exception. Your problem or your change has been accomplished before by many! Research how, what are the steps, is there a system being used successfully by others? Yes, we all have different situations, but better use a system that is working and has been refined than make many mistakes building your own system or steps.
5. Celebrate success
When you get there celebrate the success. Without the celebration it is easy to slip back and not appreciate the progress you have made. Celebrate, then decide what’s next, we are all life long learners!
6. Always do the right thing
With success and achievement comes responsibility. Use the new skill, knowledge, ability wisely. Be humble, but share what you have learnt. Fulfilment comes from the change we make in our worlds, not the accumulation for ourselves.
Change takes focus. It’s about turning up. Know what needs to be done, perform the right actions, then making it stick. Seemingly simple steps, but difficult given the human condition of doubt and perceived limitations. Follow the system, 6 steps of transformation change.
