Transformation isn’t easy!

For around twenty years I have been part of transformations. In business settings I have helped use new technologies to change how people work. I have helped the government transform how they do business through new processes and technology platforms. Plus I have been part of transformation teams in retail organizations. So I have seen many transformation efforts from the inside.

Most recently I have applied some of the same techniques I used in business transformation efforts to my own personal transformation. By casting an aggressive vision, building a plan and staying focused on the transformation every day I was able to achieve success. I transformed from a 325 pound guy living a sedentary lifestyle with poor self-confidence and few goals to something much more impressive – at least to me. I have become a fit, active guy who sets and crushes goals daily and has published his first book.

Through all of my experience with transformation I have learned that it is full of unexpected setbacks. People get scared about the future and what it means to their status in the organization. Unexpected issues come up and turn into setbacks. Sometimes you even learn that your vision or plan aren’t right and you have to adjust.

Whatever the challenge it is a mistake to think that success in any transformation, especially a personal one, is a straight line. There are going to be setbacks along the way because nothing worth doing, especially if it is transformational, is worth doing.

This week I have had my fair share of successes. My weight has returned to my comfortable range. I achieved a new personal record in my bench press weight. Plus I “accidentally” ran my sixth half marathon on Sunday. I meant to run a ten mile training run and ended up doing a full 13.1 miles.

With all of this success there were setbacks too. I had a couple of hiccups in my day job that I need to fix. My weight is still higher than I hoped. I had an upward weight fluctuation when I expected to have a loss. I have a fair amount of pain after my surprise half marathon. I had a disappointing appointment with my doctor. Plus my Saturday media event didn’t go as I had hoped and I was disappointed in my performance.

The important part of any setback during a transformation journey is to look at the bigger picture. Are you still moving in the direction of your goal? If so, forgive yourself for the setback and work to learn something from it.

While looking at the bigger picture also spend some time looking for the positives within the setback. For example my event wasn’t exactly what I had hoped, that kind of stinks. But at the very end I connected with one person and truly helped him with his own journey based on things I learned during my transformation.

At the end of the day helping someone have an “ah ha!” moment that helps them achieve their goals is one of the best things I can hope to accomplish. So were those setbacks really that big of a deal after all?

Transformation isn’t easy! If it was easy everybody could do it and it wouldn’t be transformational!

My point is that your journey is going to be a rollercoaster ride full of ups and downs. It will certainly test your resolve and you may be tempted to quit – I certainly have been. But you have to keep moving forward if you want to achieve a transformational goal. Once you hit that finish line it will be totally worth the ups and downs.

Thanks so much for reading and for your support. I sincerely hope that my experiences and my tips can help you achieve your own big goals. If we work together we can build a world where goals never die of loneliness!