The stages of progressing through personal transformation that we will follow are:

1. Recognition
2. Contemplation and Introspection
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Sustaining the effort

Recognition not only means that you are “aware” that you have to, want to, or need to change. It also means that you have to recognize that nothing happens without action which is why action is one of the steps.  Knowing is not doing. Only doing brings about change.

Your assignment last week was to start thinking about the person that you wish to become and begin to develop the vision of the new you. Did you select a role model that represents the new you that you aspire to be? Who is this person? How long have you known this person? Even if this person is fictional, your mind has known them.  Is this person/character someone that goes way back for you? Have you ever thought that this person resonates with you because they represent what you want to be or do you believe that this is what you want to be because What is it that resonated with you about this person?  Can you clearly define what it is that makes you want to use this person as a role model?

This Week’s Talk

You need to build up the courage to seize the opportunity and act. In A Christmas Carol, we don’t get much insight into Scrooge’s initial introspection as the events unfold since he immediately goes from being visited by Marley to his adventures with the three spirits. We see some introspection and reflection while on his journeys, but not before then. Steps 1-3 above tend to be iterative and looping until you get yourself to a place where you have a strong enough emotional force to act. In your case, I would guess there were times you pondered the issues around making a life change many times before.  As I noted in an earlier episode, I struggled with finding a purpose for my life, and defining a resonating, true for me self-image of who I aspired to be for years. I would reach such a state of frustration I would scream and yell at God with a deep and self-destructive anger. I chased images of success and self until I had my epiphany. I am much more at peace now than ever before. The lesson I learned: Play the cards you are dealt.  I am me and you are you.  Success is preparation meeting opportunity.  The only thing that separates success from SOS, is the willingness to take action.  You will wait at the bus station for forever if you never get on a bus. As you get comfortable with the thought of taking action you will learn that almost every bus ride will bring insights. Even if the bus you get on initially is not a perfect fit, the lessons you learn on that trip will help you figure out which bus is the right one. Even “the right one” may change over time; but that is a subject for another day.

“Hear me! Cried the Ghost. My time is nearly gone.”  So says the spirit of Marley near the end of his conversation with Scrooge.  There is an important lesson here. Seize the moment. If you don’t, it may well pass and you will need to once again wait for time, motivation, and opportunity to line up.

This Week’s Assignment

Keep in the forefront of your thoughts that all around you are opportunities. I don’t know specifically what you want to work on that will move you closer to being the you that you aspire to be so I cannot tell you what to look for but just to look.  Opportunity is truly all around you. Somewhere in your journey I believe that you have already had a glimpse of the you that lies within.  The universe is boundless but you have to look so that you can see it.  You have to see it in order to act. Your assignment this week is… just to look. What do you see? Do you see the opportunities? Does your 6^th sense give you a heads-up?

See you next week…