The Process of Personal Transformation: Act Now Or ...
Become An Educated, Motivated Fool
Even though the previous chapters have outlined what would be considered action steps to facilitate life transformation (at any age), all of that is primarily preparation for the real action - transforming knowledge into reality.
If you don't start, nothing will happen.
The First thing is to set realistic goals. This will keep you from becoming easily discouraged. Then list out the steps needed to accomplish them. Change takes action and action demands discipline. Discipline means developing new habits.
Say you want to become a writer or even a paid author. What are some of the habits you must discipline yourself to do each day in order to get accomplish this?
Get up an hour earlier
Write daily (journal, a certain # of words/day, a page a day, blog post, etc.)
Severely limit your time-wasting habits like TV, social media, Frivolous Web-surfing, or pointless novels
Replace these with goal-accomplishing habits such as reading more or trying and learning a new skill
Follow other writers and learn from them
Become a guest blog writer
Submit articles to publications (you could be paid for accepted articles)
Overcome the “Imposter Syndrome” - sometimes the hardest part is pushing the Publish button. Do it anyway.
All of these involve some aspect of engagement with what you want to do.
How to Develop a Plan
Scenario: Let's say you are now 52 years old. You have worked hard all your life, but don't have much to show for it. Your job is at a standstill and there is nowhere for you to go.
You have always enjoyed reading and in the back of your mind, you have harbored thoughts of being a writer since you were a teenager. In the meantime, life has intervened and now it's three decades later.
It has finally dawned on you that if anything is to change, it is up to you.
Review - Preparation for Action
Make sure you have done as much as needed for your specific goal(s)
Trust God: Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 3:5-6
Education: Discover who you are and what your calling is).
Self-assessment: Determine your 3P profile. (Passion, Potential, Personality).
Research: Look for opportunities that are a good fit for your 3P profile.
Choose: Narrow down opportunities to the best fit possible (it won't always be so evident). Learn everything you can about what it is that you want to do.
Find a Mentor: In person, online, or both. Find others who have done or are doing what you want to do and learn from them (These are your mentors/teachers).
Financial Literacy: Become financially literate and disciplined: Gain a thorough understanding of personal finance. Learn the difference between active and passive income. Keep an accurate budget.
Do - Action
Set a time frame with a target date (# of months or years).
Set achievable monthly goals and daily activities (personal accomplishments, financial, etc.).
Create a daily schedule that can be easily followed.
Begin doing what you have prepared to do.
Don't quit.
Actions speak louder than words
What message are you giving by what you do, who you hang around with, or how you appear (Yes, this matters)? No matter what you say, the things you do define the real you.
You have probably heard something similar to this:
“What you are doing speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying”
It’s true. What you place value in speaks volumes about who you are.
Three overall components to Action
• Determine what it is you want to accomplish with your limited time here on Earth.
• Create a plan for getting it done
• Do it - There is no substitute
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go.
It’s that simple. Don't complicate it.
So far, we have looked at two of the components of the Transformation equation: T=E+A+M.
(E)ducation and (A)ction
The final component, M, is Motivation
These three components of personal transformation are synergistic in nature.
We can have all the knowledge in the world, but if that knowledge does not translate into action, nothing happens.
We can do all kinds of things, but if we are not motivated to focus our actions on a particular target or goal, we will reap little benefit, become discouraged, and quit - living out our lives in relative obscurity and frustration.
We can listen to motivational speakers, watch all the “How-to” videos, or read books all day long, but if it doesn't translate into action, we will be nothing more than motivated, educated fools.
Life transformation never stops
We must constantly learn, act on what we learn, and then keep ourselves motivated to continue forward.
Some means of motivation were covered here in the action stage, but motivation is more than just reading, listening, or watching. Motivation is having our calling so fixed in our hearts and minds that no matter what comes our way, it is unshaken.
Next week we will take a more indepth look into this final component of our equation.
Until then, my friends, go do something extraordinary …
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Well-written as always, Cork. You have the ability to break things down and what to do with the broken pile... I am not that dearly logical...wish I was, but I am more intuitive. Bless you! Wendy