The word transformation may sound daunting, but the truth is that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it’s a word that can bring you to a place of fullness and contentment with the person you are working to become. The realization that you want to grow is the first step to embracing the meaning of transformation.

Take a breath. Do you feel like you just released something, or did you just gulp some air to return to the overwhelm of the daily grind? Does that feeling of being overwhelmed make you feel stuck?

That stuck feeling is one that many of us experience, and it’s the first prompting that we need to make some changes–a transformation needs to take place. The good news is that recognizing you feel somewhat stuck, unhappy or uncomfortable is the first step in a transformation process that can make all the difference in your world.

Transformation: It Doesn’t Have To Be A Kick In The Pants

Sometimes,  tremendous and often painful wake-up calls may be the catalysts to the transformation process you need to be your best self. Transformation doesn’t have to happen as a reaction; it can be something you control with your own awareness and willingness to make a change in your life. 

Get Curious About Who You Want To Become

To decide who you want to become, you really need to look at who you are currently. Think about what you would say about your life if you were on the outside looking in. 

• What would you say about yourself? 
• Do you talk about yourself as someone who lives an empowered life?
•  Do you feel good in your skin? 
• Are you kind and loving to yourself, or are you harsh and cut your own value? 

How you think about yourself is key to deciding who you want to become. It starts with curiosity about your current and future self. If the words you’d use to describe yourself or your
life are not positive, think about statements, and words you could use that ARE more kind, loving, and empowering. Maybe even consider writing some down.

Once you have your list, begin using your new words every day. Fill your cup daily with words or statements that speak to who you want to be–the strong, capable, kind, and loving human you have inside. Use them in as many ways as you can so that they can truly permeate who you are. Before long, you’ll be surprised to hear how naturally they’ll come to you–and that’s what transformation is all about!

Take Responsibility For Where You Are And Where You Want To Go

As a forgiveness coach, I often remind people that empowerment and responsibility go hand-in-hand. If you are looking to transform your life, you need to be willing to look at the circumstances you’re in and how you got there.

Sometimes things happen to us, and we can’t control them, but we can control where we place the blame. Sometimes, taking the blame OFF of ourselves is key; sometimes, it’s taking the blame away from someone and reclaiming some of the responsibility. You see, when you do that…when you take responsibility for yourself and your actions, you also take your POWER back. You put yourself back in the driver’s seat, and you become the one controlling the transformation that’s taking place in your life!

Consider Different Choices You’re Willing To Make

The purpose of considering different choices as you move forward is to consider how you want to feel as you move forward. Think about it…what will motivate you to make the changes you need to make so you’ll feel the way you want to feel?

Consider eating differently–fueling your body to strengthen and enable you to do the things you want to do and go the places you want. Also, consider exercising and reaching out for support. These really are simple self-care choices you can make, but I understand they may be daunting. That’s why reaching out for support and accountability may be beneficial.

Above all, the choices you want to make to transform your life need to be doable so you will follow through. Don’t trap yourself into unattainable goals, especially right as you get started. Take one step at a time and celebrate each new action you incorporate into your process.

You Get To Decide: Who Do You Want To Become?

Your life and mine are the reflections of choices we’ve made. Transformation means we need to do some check-ins with ourselves and decide who we want to become. 

The personal transformation journey is a dynamic one that is individualized for expanding our own consciousness. It allows us to become critically aware of our current self-views and then examine those in contrast with what we want and what motivations we want driving our life choices. The introspection necessary to become self-aware becomes a valuable vault of our views, patterns, and behaviors.

Once we’ve analyzed our current views, we are gifted with the opportunity to redefine ourselves. We can integrate those views and ideas into a new us– one that creates a reality that will match our deepest and truest desires. 

The key to finding out who that is is the final step. I want you to find a quiet place and feel at peace. Make sure you’re well-nourished and comfortable, and take a few minutes to close your eyes and imagine the person you want to become.

Visualize what this person looks like, and pay attention to how they behave. How they carry themselves. What they’re doing. How they’re feeling. Truly tune in to how you and this future person can come together to the fullest version of your best self and claim it in your head and heart.

Slowly bring that energy out of these few moments and allow it to guide you into making the different choices you’ve pinpointed as steps in your transformation. You CAN do this!

Life is all about growth and development; transformation often occurs without us even knowing it is happening. We can’t always control what goes on around us, or even inside of us…but we can control how we grow from it and transform over our life’s journey. When we look at it as an opportunity to be our best selves, we can see it’s a process that may take time and investment, but one you’re definitely worth!