Each week I have been posting articles in a series about Personal Transformation. This article will focus on finding that blend of personality, passion, and propensity (The 3P’s) to discover our Sweet Spot.
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Depending where you are on the long road of life, personal transformation will mean different things.
Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO)
Jesus talks about this in Matthew 7:15-20. He concludes,
“Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.”
We become known and associated with our words and actions.
So, if we want to change the output, we must renew our minds with different input.
In a nutshell, Personal Transformation is redirecting your pattern of thinking to change your habits, actions, and feelings.
Today, we would categorize it as a self-help or neuroscience type of training.
An Ancient Concept
The concept of personal transformation has been around for as long as human history.
The Bible itself speaks of Personal Transformation very clearly in Romans 12:2:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
Of course, this primarily addresses spiritual transformation (salvation), which, in my opinion, is the most important aspect of all.
All else is for naught, otherwise.
The Apostle Paul writes about this in his letter to the Philippians:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, cultivate your own salvation (which has been given to you) with fear and trembling.
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13
Transformation will work itself out, practically, in our thoughts, words, feelings, and actions, so that we may become (a never ending process) who God meant us to be.
The 3P’s
God has given each of us unique Personalities, Passions, and Propensities (3P’s) that make up our Sweet Spot.
Personality
Merriam-Webster defines personality as
a. the complex of characteristics that distinguishes an individual: the totality of an individual's behavioral and emotional characteristics
b : a set of distinctive traits and characteristics
This is who we are at the core.
Passion
Jamie Birt, a career coach writing in an article for indeed.com, describes a passion as -
A value that holds significant meaning to you or an activity that you enjoy doing. When you practice your passions, you might feel content and relaxed.
Propensity
Defined in Merriam-Websters as “an often intense natural inclination or preference”.
This is where we have the potential to develop the skills which flow out of our God-given abilities.
I use “potential” because, even though we have been given certain gifts and abilities, they remain raw and unrefined and need to be cultivated for usefulness.
The Sweet Spot
The Sweet Spot is where our Personality, Passion, and Propensity have commonality.
This is what we should aim for in the process of personal transformation.
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Proverbs 22:6 refers to parents working with their children in this process:
Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Traditionally this verse is taken as “train up a child is the way we want them to go”.
Spiritually speaking, yes, this is true.
The ideal, beyond that, is that we should become aware of and help children develop and align his/her 3P’s to discover their Sweet Spot.
This is like coming home to who we are.
Dan Miller, author of 48 Days to the Work You Love, translates “the way he should go” as “the way he is bent”.
This is where they (we) will be most confident, productive, and happy.
Many, if not most, adults have been conditioned to conform to a more traditional model of “get an education and find a good job” regardless of personality, passion, or propensity.
This is tragic in the sense of so much wasted potential.
The good news, however, is that it is never too late to escape the trap of conformity.
It’s not always easy.
Just setting a goal is not enough.
It is not a “once and done” thing
You will need to develop a definitive plan and process to get to where you want to be.
Life throws us many curve balls
We must make the commitment to stick with it through the long haul.
And, as Romans 12:2 states, it all starts with “the renewing of our minds”.
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Questions to ponder:
Have you discovered your Sweet Spot?
Are you where you want to be in life (your bent) or are you stuck in Comfortable Misery?
If not, do you have a plan to get there?
Did your dream get waylaid somehow?
Are you willing to do what it takes to initiate personal transformation?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Comments are open to all.
Until next time, friends . . .
This really hits the mark.