“Change is the watchword of progression. When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view.” – Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Transformation is the process of becoming something new. It is the change we would like to see. When we set goals that we do not achieve, it is often because the goals do not link to a change that is really important to us.
I have a client who would like to lose weight, but is unable to do so because of medication he is taking. If his goal is to eat healthy with the outcome of losing weight, he would have no motivation. Instead he would feel continually frustrated that his outcome of weight loss is not happening and would give up on his goal. However, if his ultimate outcome is to be more heart healthy, then he could be motivated to follow through on his goal of eating healthy. Becoming more heart healthy is a change he could become and achieve.
Transformation: Turning Vision into Outcomes
So, what is the change you want to become? Now, this can seem like a pretty wide open question. So, to give you some clarity, it is helpful to refer back to your person vision. In the previous article, we discussed turning desires into personal vision. Have you taken the time to do this?
The change you want to become is called an outcome. Determining your outcomes follows a similar process to determining your vision. It is important to take some extended listening time. Remember to first decompress and become still within yourself. Then listen and explore all of the outcomes you would like to see. If your life was different a year from now, what would be different about you?
These outcomes will naturally connect to your personal vision and possibly have a link to your strengths. For example, after searching the desires in her heart, Mary realized that she has a personal vision to lead and mentor other leaders. Her heart fills with excitement as she thinks about this. She may also reflect on past defining moments where she made choices in connection to this desire. As she reflects on her future, she senses a spot in her life where she has atrophied and not grown. As a leader she has always loved adventure, but has not been including this in her life. So, she sets an outcome of engaging herself and others in adventure.
Now, outcomes are to be broad. This is not the place to set a specific goal or task to complete. We have often been conditioned to think in a linear, logical mindset. So jumping right in to set a specific goal feels comfortable, but often instead leads to non-achievement and frustration. An outcome is the change you want to see that then allows exploration and a journey in the coming year to obtain it.
Transformation: Turning Outcomes into Reality
However, we can’t stop there. Vision and outcomes give us focus, but we also need effective ways to create accountability for ourselves in this process of change. The next article will explore more of this.
If you are feeling challenged by any of these concepts or exercises, this is not unusual. Sometimes, especially when starting something, it can require some wrestling within yourself. Please know you are not alone. Some have found it helpful to talk this process through with another. Please let me know if you have any questions.