Transformation is not just for caterpillars!

What transformation do you want for your life? We have seen how caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies. Maybe there are some things in your life where you would like to see a transformation. Caterpillars seem to have transformation built into their DNA, but for us, it doesn’t happen so automatically. We wondered what it takes to have a transformation. One way was revealed to us as we were driving and the truck ahead of us had three words on the back of it: Listen – Create – Transform. These words described the services of a construction company and how they provide transformation. It got us thinking about how these words also apply when you want to have a personal transformation.

If we take time to listen to our body, mind and spirit we might have some ideas revealed about what we want to transform and why it’s important to do so. When we have strong reasons to change, these help us to keep going and overcome challenges. To gain clarity, it can be helpful to take some quiet time away from distractions, a metaphorical “walk in the woods.” There might be transformations you recognize you need, such as cutting out negative health habits and adding in habits that promote health. We need to exercise more and the “why” for us is because doctors and research show that regular exercise promotes health. What does your body, mind and spirit tell you?

We have discovered what we want to transform and why, now it’s time to create the action plan. In coaching, we often suggest that a plan includes a series of action steps on the way to the goal and that it’s important to have rewards for completing each step. For us, some action steps are to carve out a regular time to exercise and to decide where and how to exercise. Since we are not excited about walking in the cold winter weather, we had better look at alternatives. This will take some exploration. After each step toward our goal, we will reward ourselves with a small reward. Rewards can be something as simple as taking time to read a magazine. What are your steps and what will be your rewards?

Now comes the time to transform. Some transformation goals have definite ends to them, like completing a course in school or getting a job. Other goals, such as health goals, might become lifetime goals. There might be benchmarks, such as meeting various preset weight loss goals on the way to a final specific goal. Beyond that there are maintenance goals. We want regular exercise to be a life-long positive health habit. If we exercise now and then and not regularly, there will definitely not be any transformation in our health. However, we also realize that if we never exercise, there will be a transformation that happens to us and it will not be good. Sometimes people avoid transforming part of their life that needs help and it becomes very difficult to change. Health, relationships and finances are important areas of life to have working well to have a good life. For you, what areas need transformation?

We talked to Becky Johnson and Joan Murphy who were walking their dogs and we asked them to tell us about a transformation in their life. Becky told us, “Just recently my oldest daughter moved out. She got a job in Waconia as a teacher. My youngest daughter just graduated from college and she will probably move out soon, as she just got a job. So, just being an empty-nester and filling my time with other activities, my life changed.” We noted that her life changed and, in a way, she just got her life back.

Joan said, “I recently took a job at Eden Prairie High School as a math tutor which is full-time and I haven’t worked full-time since I was about 29. I have subbed and worked at Sylvan for about nine years. We noted that now working full-time was definitely a transformation and Joan added, “I love it!”

How about you? What transformations do you want in your life?

Here are some suggestions: Transformation happens without much thinking for caterpillars as they become beautiful butterflies, but for humans, it’s helpful to listen, create and transform. Now, we’ll start our exercise transformation with a walk. How will you start? Remember, transformation is not just for caterpillars – you can transform, too! We’d enjoy hearing about your transformations.

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2018 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.