Rather than wait for some unlikely windfall, I should shape my future. Don’t stay in the I-Hate-My-Life doom loop!
Where to from here?
“How did I get here?”
Better yet, “How do I get out of here?”
We’re really good at expressing dissatisfaction with our current life. However, we’re not so good at the self-discipline required to improve our current life.
So, what’s a way out?
Actually, we must choose to grow. To be transformed.
In so doing, we become the person who attracts the life and the relationships we desire.
Looking In All The Wrong Places
Unfortunately, we tend to look outside ourself for that growth and that better place.
You know, if we just had a different job or a better life partner. Or…you can fill in the blank here with other options!
Fact is, we must stop looking outside ourselves for fulfillment.
The personal transformation, which accompanies our intentional growth, comes from the inside-out. That is, our transformation is all about character change.
Conversely, personal transformation isn’t about our appearance, or our habits, or other externals.
Now, do we need the self-discipline that drives healthy habits? Of course we do. But, those essential life disciplines are outcomes of our inner change.
When we change who we are we, in turn, change what we do. We live most fulfilled from the inside-out. We live most frustrated from the outside-in! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Which WHO do I choose?
Ok, I hate my life! But, of all the many choices available, which WHO do I choose?
Actually, it’s important for us to choose wisely the WHO we decide to become.
For example, we must develop professional competence, build emotional intelligence, and learn to draw from past experiences as we formulate good judgment.
But, those aspects of personal transformation must work well with our authentic self, hence the importance of self-awareness.
For instance, we must not create an executive presence based on an extroverted, dominating, personality if we’re an introvert who is deeply thoughtful in his/her responses.
Remember, personal transformation begins with WHO we are at our core – – as our authentic self.
Our willingness to know our authentic self pairs well with our life focus. A high-level of self-awareness and purposeful living creates a beneficial cycle in life. proverbsforprofessionals.net
The Change Process
In Proverbs 4.5 we read: “Get wisdom, get understanding…”
Thus, our ability to live in balance by grasping life fundamentals and connecting the dots of our experiences isn’t dependent on our native intelligence. And, our “getting it” isn’t animal instinct.
It is, however, dependent on our willingness to learn. To reflect. Then, to be disciplined in how we absorb life’s basic lessons.
According to Proverbs 4.7 wisdom and understanding – – acting wisely through sensemaking – – is the “principal thing.”
Ok, how does this transformation take place? According to Proverbs 4.4 it happens as our character is transformed, thus we read “…Let your heart retain these words…”
It’s not who I was, or who I am today that matters. Actually, who I’m becoming is what returns long-term dividends! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
When we begin with WHO we start a transformation process that’s grounded in self-awareness and self-acceptance. That growing, confident self is best positioned, over time, to recognize and pursue our life purpose – – our WHY – – for a given season of life.
One danger in all this self-examination is that we fall back. We become a victim. And, we fear taking risks. As such, we choose not to move forward toward that impactful and influential person we could become. The outcome of such settling is that we stay right where we are.
Where will we be five years from now? The choices we make today about intentional transformation drive where we will be in the future.
Critical thinking and good judgment positively influence wise behavior. As a result of behaving wisely we improve our chances for an abundant future. Truly, WHO we are shapes our life outcomes.
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
To interact with me, use the links in the Contact Me tab of this blog.