Transformation not Change

If we learn the principle of transformation, we can make permanent lasting change that will give us more rewarding and fulfilling lives. The word transformation has become a buzzword over the past decade and rightfully so. The reason is that simple change is not enough for most people. They want to be transformed; they want their bodies and bank accounts to be transformed into something completely new. Webster's New Illustrated Dictionary defines change as: 1) to make different or to alter. It defines transform as: 1) to give a different form to or to change the character of. 2)to alter the nature of.

You can see by the definitions that change is a little more superficial than to transform. Transformation gets to the root or core of the subject. It gets down deep to the nature or character and that's why we seek transformation. When it comes to people, change really doesn't do anything, because we will almost always return to the original state. However when we get transformed, we can never go back. This, I believe, is why so many struggle with making improvement in their lives. Whether it be our attitude, relationships, bank account or our health, more often than not we fail to succeed at our goal. We fail, and let me emphasize that failure is not a bad thing-- it is the only way toward success. We need to accept failure and learn from it instead of the natural reaction to avoid it. Think of failure as practice because that is really what it is. We are never perfect the first time out so we practice or fail over and over until we get it right. We fail to succeed because we make small changes that seem to take us in the right direction, only to fall back into what we are trying to change from, as fast and often faster than it took to make the change. Change is only a temporary band-aid or a quick fix that never really changes anything. That's why we must understand the principle of transformation.

Let me share with you a common example of change and our failure to succeed, the attempt to lose weight. Summer time is coming and we want to look better on the beach. We say to ourselves, "I'm going to get in shape". We buy into the advertising of so many of those crash diets, fads and useless products. How you will feel being thin! Others will say, Wow, you look great! How you will look in a bathing suit! Easy - Fun - Free - Win. They use all the ploys and because we are in the market for products and services a good advertisement will trigger our emotions and we buy. That's good marketing but it really doesn't transform us. So off we go and join a gym and start a diet. We buy the gym membership and load up on meal replacements and go to work. Two or three months later we have starved ourselves and sweated in the gym not really knowing what we are doing and we are ready for summer. We maybe lost a few pounds and feel a little better but one month into fall and we look the same as we did before, only this time we are a little more discouraged and feel cheated because it didn't really work. These small changes didn't quite do it. Now we are a little more cynical and reluctant to do it again. Years and years go by and we bounce back and forth making only small changes for the better and for the worse and never really make much progress one way or the other. Things aren't that bad but we really want more for us.

Why isn't it working?
What do I have to do differently?
What am I missing?

Then we learn or experience the difference between transformation and change and our life is never the same. I would like to set up my answer to the question, "What is transformation?" with first quoting the most popular bible verse used by Christians on this subject. Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." NIV. Most major religions feel they can instruct in ultimate transformation. They provide paths that deliver individuals from the bondage of sin, immorality, ignorance, and other types of impurity or disharmony and lead them toward a state of purity of soul, spiritual knowledge, wisdom, godliness, enlightenment, or even eternal life.

Let us learn from this wisdom and see how it applies to our everyday life. The key lies in two places. 1. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world" 2. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind". For the first point, although theology has a more profound interpretation, I would like to say, DON'T BUY INTO THOSE SELF-SERVING ADVERTISEMENTS! Secondly "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" has to do with the way you think. It has to do with the very core of your being, your mind. No not your soul. I tell you if you want to change your body, your bank account, your attitude, your addictions, your anything it is much more practical than it is spiritual. In fact I believe that even the spiritual is much more practical. It boils down to the knowledge you input. It's the belief system you form and that comes from what you put in your mind. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind". Lets stick to the subject of weight loss or physical transformation. I used to always think I was a pretty fit guy and that I knew something about exercise. I was a little skinny until I reached 35 years old, then it became easy to gain weight, especially around the waist. Things were okay because I worked out a lot but I wanted change I could not get. I have one of those difficult bodies I thought. No matter how hard I tried I could not gain the definition and mass I wanted. I knew that if I looked better I would feel better and so on but I didn't know how profoundly everything would change when I transformed my body. For one, I was bigger, stronger and faster and that made me more confident in everything I did. I was healthier, slept better and had more energy. My sex life improved dramatically. My mind was clearer, my business more effective because I transformed my body. Understanding the principle of transformation helped me succeed in 90 days what I was not able to reach in the last 10 years.

Before Pictures January 13, 2002

After Pictures April 27, 2002

The very same principle helped me change my character earlier in life, giving me similar results as the physical transformation. Personal confidence, positive mental attitude, energy, clarity with the addition of peace of mind. If you want to change something understand the principle "be transformed by the renewing of the mind".

What exactly does this mean? This very simply means to learn new information that will alter your belief system. One of the best definitions of success I have ever heard is in a simple formula by James Rohn. He said that your beliefs dictate your attitude, which dictates your actions, which give you your results. If you want to make small changes that are sure to come back then change your actions. If you want transformation then change your belief system. Learn things you never learned before, learn the proper way to do things. Learn the facts. Learn what the professionals have done, learn from those who have achieved the things that you desire in a big way. Back to the example of the physical. When I got serious about physical change I began to consult. I learned about the proper exercises and the proper form for lifting weights. I learned about the diets that pros use and most importantly I got very clear on what I wanted to achieve. I hired a consultant that educated me on the exercises, forms and nutrition. I learned what to eat and when. I learned about protein and carbohydrates and the effect on the body when it was building or resting. I learned about cardiovascular training and fat reduction and the difference of working out at a moderate heart rate as compared to a maximum rate. What I found is that much of what I was doing before was counteracting against my goal. No wonder I was not making progress. As I applied this knowledge, I was able to make more profound results in less time.

I tell you that the little things do count and when you do enough of the little things right then it will make a world of difference. I believe the principle of transformation applies to any and every area of life. If you want permanent change, if you want good health, if you want to change a behavior, if you want freedom from some addiction, renewed character, restored relationships, then invest in the miracle of the mind. Poor to rich, sinner to saint, weak to strong, the process is the same. One of the most effective tools to help you in your transformation is learning the art of proper goal setting. It is without question that a well-set goal will help you to draw upon the human resources to take you where you want to go as quickly and easily as possible. A well-set goal will clarify the target, encourage the commitment, establish the plan and help you identify the knowledge you will need to acquire to get you where you want to go. I close with a story from one of my favorite teachers. James Rohn has produced numerous personal development programs that have helped in my life's transformations.

He tells the story of the beautiful rock garden. Remember the story about the man who took a rock pile and in a couple of years turned it into a beautiful garden. Sometime later a group toured the garden and one man thought it was fabulous. He wanted to make sure the gardener didn't take all the credit, so when he had a chance to meet him after the tour he shook his hand and said, "Mr. Gardener you and the good Lord together have this beautiful garden here", he emphasized "good Lord" to get his point across. The gardener said, "Hey I understand your point. If it wasn't for the seed and the soil and the miracle of the seasons, the sunshine and the rain certainly there wouldn't be any garden here, but he said you should have seen this place a few years ago when God had it all by himself." The moral of the story is personal responsibility. If things are going to change then you are going to have to do it. Yes, we can draw on all of the powers available to us but just remember it starts with you.