Use Dramatic Change To Accelerate And Reinforce Your Transformation
Written by: Stephanie Reh, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I am enrolled in a personal leadership transformation program and will graduate at the end of this month. The insights and revelations have been numerous and nothing short of dramatic in terms of their impact on my own perspective of my life and how I’ve been moving through it.
I’ve spent the first three months of the program on an emotional roller coaster ride of thrilling ups and scary downs. One moment I’m in awe of the possibility in front of me now that I’m allowing myself to lean into joy as a leader, and another moment, I’ve retreated back into my cave of self-judgment, wondering why I couldn’t figure all this out before. Then it’s back up the hill of anticipation, excited to see what lightbulb will turn on next and yet, afraid of what will be illuminated.
The transformation journey never ends - the journey itself is the point, of course.
But for impatient people like me, I needed to get things going a bit faster.
So, as the last month of transformation training approached, I wondered what I could do to make sure I finish the program strong, and position myself to ride the transformation momentum far beyond the end of the instructional phase. Regret is not an option. I’ve invested time and money into this program, and a ton of emotional currency. I certainly don’t want to go back and do it over again! I need to get what I came for: finding out what is holding me back from being the best person I can be and then busting through the resistance to be that best person.
Inside of me, there’s a lot of change going on. I see things differently now. Despite having immersed myself in intentional self-development for at least the last decade, true clarity eluded me up until now. Now that I can grasp the clarity, I need to act on it before self doubt and excuses crash my party and send all my newly enlightened guests home.
I can’t look in the mirror and see the same person I was after life happened and before transformation because I’m not that person anymore. I’m reclaiming my original self. And I need to look different than I’ve looked since my original self put on armor following the death of my parents.
When I say I can’t look in the mirror and see the same person, I’m not using a metaphor. I mean I need to actually see someone different in the mirror.
And so, after over 20 years of having long hair, I cut it off. And with it, I cut off the resentment I have for working so hard for so many years and not achieving some of the key goals I set for myself. I cut off the requirement to achieve something big before I celebrate what I’ve accomplished. I cut off the fear of taking a big risk and having to live with the consequences.
I know that hair grows back, and I remember it’s a real pain to grow it out. I had to make it really hard to turn around on this transformation. I’ve come so far; the transformation program is the catalyst for me authentically living the promise of my Accountability Ambassador Pledge: I serve others by doing whatever it takes to be the best person I can be.
Whatever it takes is a tall order and I can’t be weighed down by long hair or long excuses. It’s time to live up to my own promises. And you can too.
For you, it may not be a haircut. Maybe it’s taking a new job or moving to a new city. It could be overhauling your diet, or going back to school. Perhaps you join a gym after years of working out at home. Or starting a new hobby with new friends. Whatever it is:
It must be dramatic if you are using it to accelerate and reinforce your transformation.
I’ve been trimming my hair for years. Over the last few years, it’s been getting shorter and shorter, and most recently was above shoulder length. The gradual change did nothing to prompt the big change I really needed. I still kept behaving the same way, eating the same way, responding the same way to the same stimuli...and not realizing that my goal ladder was on the wrong wall.
Measured and moderate change has its place, but not if you are setting out to punctuate transformation. You’ve got to do something demonstrative so you don’t slide back into complacency. The confidence you gain from a big leap will enable you to take the next big leap, and the next leap after that.
Some of you may be thinking you are totally cool with not leaping. You daily life is pleasant and you have few complaints. I challenge you to think differently. Everyone has more in them than they are choosing to share with the world. What are you holding back?
If you’ve not experienced transformation training, I highly recommend you pursue it. And when you do, get your dramatic change ready. You’re going to need it when you are at the cusp of getting the transformation gold. What could you do with a new ‘do?
Stephanie Reh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Stephanie Reh is on a mission to help more people to serve more people. Stephanie’s aim and passion as CEO & Founder of Accountability Evangelist are to help accountable people achieve their most ambitious goals so that they can happily live a life of fulfillment and make a tremendous, positive impact on the lives of the people they choose to serve. Stephanie’s signature offering for personal transformation is the Focus & Momentum Goal Mastery online group coaching program. She specializes in Succession Planning / Leadership Development, Strategic Planning / Goal & Risk Management, and Change Management for Mergers & Acquisitions for organizational transformation. Stephanie is an active community volunteer and champion. One of Stephanie’s current priorities is to help build a thriving, diverse, and inclusive entrepreneurial community in Western New York State, USA.
