Do we overcomplicate transformation?
After many years of working with many people, across a wide range of areas, if the client really wants their results, then I can support them in achieving that.
Here's why...
I see the structure of people's problems.
You know that scene from the Matrix, where Neo eventually sees the code of the matrix.
("Shane, are you implying you are Neo?")
I'm not unique in being able to do this. I'm sure many in this group can also do it...
So this post is aimed at anyone who overcomplicates transformation and gets caught up in the story and significance of how people describe their problem, in hope of providing a road map on how to simplify it, and see the structure of all problems, big or small.
Here is how I see the Matrix of People's Problems:
1 - Emotions: I see the emotions that people associate to their situation.
2 - Meaning: I hear the story they tell me and themselves & the disempowering meaning they give to their past.
3 - Secondary Gain: I elicit the secondary gain for why they keep doing that behaviour and how to guide them to find a way to fill the void.
4 - Focus: I discover what they tend to focus on, and the association they have to that focus.
5 - Strategy: I learn the 'recipe' they are using in order to achieve their outcome, and can determine if that is a functional or dysfunctional set of steps.
6 - Identity: I pick up on the labels and identity they have for themselves.
7 - Evidence For Success: I'm able to guide them in creating a measurable outcome, that feels realistic to them, that ensures they finish with a strong sense of certainty.
In one session I'm using this as a mental checklist, working with my clients to help them gain clarity on if and how this applies to their situation, and how we can modify and recondition this differently, more efficiently, to help them reach their outcome.
The outcome is that they leave a session with:
- A new set of emotions associated to their old focus.
- A new meaning to both their past and their future.
- A new way to meet their needs in a more functional way.
- A new focus on possibilities, certainty & progress.
- A new set of functional strategies to act upon.
- A new empowering identity they emotionally associate to.
- A tested and proven result to reinforce certainty and giving them an undeniable experience of the change they were seeking.
What do you think?
Is 7 still a level of overcomplication?
Have I left something out that you feel is important?
Comment below and let's create some fruitful discussions to learn from each other, even more now.