Creating Lasting Transformation: Experiment (part VI)
This is part 6 of 6 in a series about the process for making lasting transformation through intentional exploration and conscious choice-making. Read part 5 here.
You have prepared yourself for a lasting transformation by identifying the change you want to make, performing a current state evaluation, identifying the values at-play and recognizing the limiting beliefs that will get in the way. And, finally, we arrive at the last step, which is to create experiments to challenge those limiting beliefs.
Limiting beliefs are often a conflation of two things that we originally thought couldn't coexist, such as the belief that structure inhibits creativity. These beliefs may not necessarily be true, but they can have a strong influence on our behavior and decision-making. The purpose of the experiments is to challenge these assumptions, therefore creating new possibilities. This is how we break out of the cycle of repeatedly getting stuck or thwarted by the same old solutions.
As described in Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey, the purpose of these experiments is to break down the neural circuitry that supports our limiting beliefs. By conducting experiments, we begin to build new, more empowering beliefs.
Approach experimentation with curiosity and a goal to learn. Your main research question is “How might I [achieve goal] while [challenging assumption]?” This might look like “how might I establish a habit of mindfulness while honoring my value of flexibility?”
Start with a small, manageable experiment that you can complete in a short amount of time. This will give you momentum to continue the process.
Define success signals for your experiment — these might be easily quantifiable, but can also be qualitative, like feelings. For your mindfulness habit, perhaps you track the number of times practicing over the course of 2 weeks along with how flexible it is feeling.
Notice that experiments — the most active step in this entire process — are not directly about achieving the goal. Instead, through testing the validity of limiting beliefs, we’re opening to what’s possible.
Throughout this series, we’ve seen how being driven by curiosity overcomes the shortfalls of a purely motivation-driven approach to achieving lasting transformation.
With a heavy emphasis on self-awareness and self-management, it’s beneficial to undergo transformation with the support of someone who can provide accountability and thought partnership.
As a leadership coach, I help my clients to reflect and learn from their experiences, holding them accountable to act with conscious choice, according to their values, all in service of their lasting transformation.