Personal Transformation: 6 Powerful Steps to Changing Your Life

personal transformation
Everything you see happening is the consequence of that which you are.
– Dr. David Hawkins

Life has a way of sneaking up on a guy. One moment you’re a carefree kid and the next, well, you’ve become part of your environment, shaped by the pressures of reality. Those hopes and dreams of youth have all but faded from memory, leaving the slightest trace of regret. I once felt like this; here I will share the keys crucial to my personal transformation…

Change tends to be a good thing and we often discover new ways to experience satisfaction no matter the circumstances. But wouldn’t it be great if there were a way to reach back in time and reclaim the excitement of your younger years? What if you could slow time’s relentless march and savor each passing moment? Or maybe you’d spend that time rebuilding the hope and compassion of an earlier time, before the hassles and worry of adulthood.

Whatever your goal, I believe it’s possible to throw off the chains of work and weariness. And more than just possible, I believe it’s doable. The key to personal transformation is to stop pushing and striving against the world and, instead, realize that change comes from the inside out.

Your identity can be explained by evolution and cultural adaptation, but it is controlled by consciousness. By you. So if you want to turn back the clock and lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow, it’s time to take a closer look at the only thing you can really change: yourself.

6 Steps to Achieve Personal Transformation

The following is a six-step method for personal transformation in your life:

Step 1: Craft Your Vision

You are a conscious being trapped in a physical body. In order to create real and lasting change on the outside, you need to organize your internal world. This begins with a simple question: what do you want?

There is no shame in not knowing immediately. In fact, I ask myself this question almost every day and the answer seems to change constantly depending on my mood, environment, and recent experiences. However, over time, you can identify a theme and as you peer into those similar answers you will eventually discover a purpose.

By purpose, I mean a driving desire to change the world in a specific way. This generally falls into one of two categories . . .

  • Correction: you have experienced grievous pain in the past and are now driven to protect others from the same fate.
  • Contribution: you have enjoyed a wonderful experience in the past and desire to share that same pleasure with the world.

The best way to discover what you want is to continually ask yourself questions. Rely on your new friends: what, why, how, when, where, and who. They will guide you through this process and eventually bring you to your true identity. After all, you were born to change the world, so stop saying “I can’t” and have a little faith!

Step 2: Increase Your Knowledge

Creating a vision for improving the world is just the first step. Next, you’re going to need to develop the wisdom and skill to make your dreams come true. This begins with learning.

Let’s face it, most of us have been molded by our peer group and work environment expectations. We probably know a little bit too much about the NFL and Facebook, but our knowledge of influence and change is pitifully small.

This step requires some courage. It’s going to take time and humility to submit yourself to the rigors of self-education. You’ll need to read books, browse blog posts, dig through Wikipedia, and maybe even watch a documentary or two.

The good news is that once you get started, you’ll discover a burning passion that drives you forward. This is what you’ve always wanted and even if you can’t have it today, at least you are one step closer to realizing your destiny.

Step 3: Be Open to Feedback

The real trick is to avoid overconfidence. I’d be lying if I told you I’ve never made this mistake or that you will somehow avoid it. However, you can minimize the risk of premature action if you remain humble and be willing to adapt.

Feedback is essential for progress. It’s nature’s way of letting us know when to turn and how fast to move. And I’m not just talking about what Uncle Bob decides to share with you over the Holidays. I’m saying you need to look at the results of your actions and ask: is what I’m doing working?

Track your progress. Measure something tangible. Find a way to wrap your head around the process. Otherwise, you’ll charge blindly into walls forever. And from personal experience, I can assure you that is both a painful and extremely slow way to proceed.

Step 4: Embrace the Culture

Once you gain knowledge of your chosen path and get a little experience walking that road, you might want to consider finding other warriors on a similar journey. The world is an awfully big place and, recently, it’s all been crammed into the space of your computer screen.

Take advantage of this amazing resource to find like-minded people. Share your vision, or at least your current step, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Chances are you’ll make some friends and maybe even discover a mentor or two.

The best part about getting involved in an established culture, whether it’s a local group of people or an online platform like this blog, is the positive reinforcement you’ll receive. Psychologists say that we are the aggregate of the 5 people we spend the most time with. As you change your peer group, you’ll also change your influences. You’ve essentially created your own environment and taken control of your personal evolution. Say hello to natural, effortless personal transformation!

Step 5: Track Your Progress

Now that you’re equipped with the basic tools of self-growth, it’s time to see results. Break down your vision into milestones, goals, and steps.

Set small objectives that are easy to accomplish. Not only will this help you focus on the next and most important move, but it will reward you with a constant sense of accomplishment. We all know that progress equals excitement, so make sure to create a plan that keeps you energized and motivated to keep working!

Step 6: Keep Things in Perspective

You’ve become a true warrior. The world is in your hands and even though you’re training may span years, you’ve managed to recapture your dreams and turn them into something real and doable.

Sadly, most people stop here. I’ve done it too. We forget that life isn’t about accomplishment or glory. It’s about the experience, about enjoying every moment in the most fulfilling way. No result or achievement can ever make up for a life wasted in work and worry.

Remember, life is a journey. It’s important to choose a worthwhile destination and take those first steps, but after that, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. After all, it’s all you get. Make it count!

16 thoughts on “Personal Transformation: 6 Powerful Steps to Changing Your Life”

  1. Hi Mark,

    Love the Correction/Contribution aspects of #1. That’s a great way of gaining some clarity. This post reminds me of the 6 Success Principles: 1. Know what you want, 2. Know why you want it, 3. Understand the price, 4. Decide to pay the price, 5. Pay the price, 6. Monitor your progress. Love your spin on it – really useful. :)

  2. Mark, great post.

    I read various articles, blogs and books to do exactly as described in Step 2. I have a great life, but there is so much more out there.

    I have wondered rather aimlessly not knowing what my goal / passion / purpose was in this grand life of mine. All other ‘motivational text’ only discussed Contribution.

    It was refreshing, and very enlightening for me to see the word Correction. That one word drew a line between various dots scattered along my life’s path. THANK YOU

    I believe that this word, along with some other phrases locked away in my tickle trunk, will greatly assist me in taking the next step.

    jb

  3. Thanks for the positive feedback guys!

    @John
    It took me several years to identify a “mission” I could rally behind, and it’s definitely based 100% on correction. Contribution just doesn’t motivate me all that much. Glad you were able to connect some dots! Good luck with that next step :)

    1. My personal favorite is step 3: being open to feedback.

      That is downfall as to why many people do not succeed at anything that they want to; they stop themselves by not being able to accept constructive criticism from those who know them best.

      If someone isn’t able to accept the positive, or negative, feedback that they need to, then they’re never going to grow as a person. They’ll always be left wondering what could have been or what should have been if they would have only listened to what others around them were telling them.

  4. Very informative post. I really like the #2 increase your knowledge. Learning is very important in everything we do. We need to study carefully every details in order for us to be successful and perform the task perfectly.

  5. I completely agree with the point “embrace the culture”

    If you are a lawyer, you’ve spent 4-6 years (at least!) of your life reading about law, writing about law, finding out what lawyers do, and hanging out with them. You’ve embraced the culture = you’ve become a lawyer.

    WHO do you want to become?

    Who do you know who is already there? Where can you find them?

    What resources can you use to embrace that culture?

  6. Thanks for the post Mark! I love point 4 : we are the aggregate of the 5 people we spend the most time with! Makes me pause and think who do I want to spend time with :) I am going through a personal transformation period, and this is just what I needed! Thanks again!

  7. Very true words you have here, and its hard to realise I’m the one to change me, but when you start, you feel like why didn’t I do this long back!!!
    Thanks for the blog

  8. Thought provoking blog post Mark! Well done!

    I’m with you each step of the way – I live in the moment and this is where I find my greatest JOY!

    I love this statement: Psychologists say that we are the aggregate of the 5 people we spend the most time with. As you change your peer group, you’ll also change your influences. You’ve essentially created your own environment and taken control of your personal evolution. Say hello to natural, effortless transformation!

    This is one that we need to look at and make the most changes – like the old adage states; birds of the same feather flock together.

    Thank you,
    Nancy

  9. Hi Mark, good post.

    I believe the first step of finding your vision is a very big thing. Because alot of people have no idea about this and are left following what they were taught growing up. Questioning this and finding your own path is very important.

    Sure it may be a challenge, but it is definately worth doing!

    -Ben

  10. Really helpful tips here, I think #1 being the most crucial. We have to have that greater vision for what we want out of life and finding that purpose for why we are here. For me I am making adjustments too but a theme does develop after time and then it becomes more focused.

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