True success. Transformation or Evolution?

One of my most favourite things is hearing someone speak a truth, so simple, but so resounding that everything in your being sits up and pays attention. Do you know what I mean?

This happened on the weekend. I was in class, learning all things kinesiology when my teacher said;

‘True success lies not in transformation but in evolution’.

I sat up straight. My neural pathways fired up. I got thinking.

Now, I technically call myself a ‘Transformational Life Coach’. And I LOVE the idea of transformation. It’s all rising from the ashes, morphing into something new, it’s change. It’s good and soul serving.

However after hearing this quote, on some level I think it actually discounts where you’re at. It implies that where you need to get to is better than who and where you currently reside. It’s almost like it’s outside of you.

You’re perfect just as you are. You’re exactly where you need to be. Sure we can constantly strive towards whatever it is we desire, we can constantly move towards our highest potential (I believe this is why we’re here on planet earth), but this is where the evolution comes in.

We’ve all heard it before ‘Life is not a destination, it’s a journey’. As overused as this is, it’s the truth.

When we stop thinking that there is somewhere for us to get to, we’re able to enjoy and relish the opportunity to evolve. To appreciate where we are at, who we are and get real about what it is we need to accept in order to move that little bit (or a lot) forward.

I guess the trouble with the idea of transformation is that if we’re not there yet, if we perceive that we still need to do all the work in order to get to the destination, we can end up feeling disappointed, disheartened and overwhelmed. Wanting to give up.

A while back I dropped the idea that my business would soon be at a level where I was totally happy and content. That my to do list would eventually have nothing on it. That soon I would get this and that and peace would envelop my life.

Instead I chose to accept that where I was at was perfect, that the many things I cross of my to do list would inevitably be replaced with a new task and that nothing outside of me was going to bring me the peace I thought it would.  As a result the craving to be somewhere else and someone else dissipated. And once again, the journey started to be fun.

Everything we do is a constant process of evolution. Which means there is no finality to look forward to or work towards. Where one thing ends another simply begins. Everything is constantly changing form and in motion.

‘Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.’

Einstein —

I think this is a big thing for people. There is an expectation that when we arrive at our destination (so to speak) that everything will be good. It also means that if lessons are reappearing we feel despondent and like we’ve missed the point somewhere!

I say drop the destination. Drop the expectation. Drop the notion that we need to transform into something other than who we are.

That’s not to say we don’t have a responsibility to move forward though. We have a total responsibility to evolve. That is, better ourselves as best we can, get in touch with our limits and excuses, be totally real and authentic and do something about it when we feel we’re not being so!

Evolving takes away the overwhelm and the expectations. It encourages giving things a go, taking risks, breaking comfort zones. It nurtures getting to know ourselves with sincere curiosity.

Evolution is life. Life is evolution.

Like I said, the statement totally resonated. It made me smile. It’s made me reconsider my work title.

And so on that note I’ll add it to my ever evolving to do list!

What are your thoughts? Do you like the sound of evolution instead of transformation? I’d love to hear your ideas. Leave a comment below.

Clare Woodward is a Sydney-based transformational coach and kinesiologist who believes that really knowing yourself is the key to a happy, self-loving life. Using a combination of powerful techniques, Clare empowers people to lead the kind of authentic, fulfilling lives they want and deserve. She peels back the layers to help them let go and live (consciously and) with intention, and in doing so, steers them towards their very best self – emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. In a nutshell, Clare helps her clients to realise and live their potential, every day.