T - from STRETCH

Transformation– adaptability and agility is key

Change is inevitable, the only constant thing in our lives, yet it can be so difficult to keep up with all the changes effecting us. Even though change is constant it still goes a bit against human nature, as humans love routines, stability etc. Depending on the culture and personality traits some are less, some are more avoidant toward changes.

In our continuously and rapidly changing environment, both from private and professional aspects, Transformation for me is moving away from change management. We do not manage change, we transform with it, due to it. As to me it symbolises our personal growth journey. We transform, we are no longer the same person as we used to be a year, a month, a week or even a day ago. We are building on our past and current skills, experience and so we further grow with every day, yet sometimes transformation means unlearning or relearning. Requires our AQ, Adversity or Adaptability Quotient, our resilience and agility. Building on the previous elements of the S T R E T C H – T highlights the transformative growth approach of the method.

Looking at all the speedbumps, roadblocks, sometimes unbelievably challenging professional situations as just a stop to tweak and transform before I can go forward, helped me a lot to strengthen myself and my resilience.

I invite all of you to pick a given current topic which keeps your mind busy (on purpose I avoid the so often used term "keeps you up at night" because hoping no professional issues keeps people up at night, sleeping and a rested nervous system is the key to our performance, energy management and therefore wellbeing) and play with it from the following angle:

- why is this change difficult for me now?

- what exactly makes this difficult for me? Summarize it in three lines.

- what can I learn from this current event/scenario? Name two things.

- how will this help me in my future on my professional journey? Summarize it in one short sentence with max two key words - to fit on a post it sized paper.

I have named this simple process as "putting on my Transformative lens" - this helps to stay calm, manage my and others' expectations in any transformation process and to apply the growth mindset mixed with positive psychology. However this does not mean the avoidance of reflection or course correction. Neither means to put the bar too low, nor overly positive pink glasses. Only the acceptance of the progressive nature of any transformation. To bring a metaphor again from nature: as butterflies turns out to be beautiful creatures, so I believe in the growth of people to be transformative.

Play with it, use the above questions at least for one scenario and see where do you land with it by the end of the month by befriending and internalizing Transformation as a joyful game of your life.

It's like surfing, the water, the conditions and so our skills are ever changing, but the more we play with it the easier it gets and the more one will enjoy it.

Have fun and enjoy June!