In the Viola Davies Netflix interview with Oprah Winfrey, she gives the ‘how to’ on personal transformation, in her case from dire poverty to Hollywood actress.  She explains ‘I was born into a certain circumstance where I couldn’t see (the possibility of becoming an actress) with my eyes, I couldn’t touch it with my hands, and so I had to believe it in my heart.’

All of us are born into circumstances and live in circumstances that shape who we are.  Unlike Viola Davies, some of us are born into very fortunate circumstances and so we are comfortable with our shape.  But at times, we all find ourselves in circumstances we’ve not experienced before.  And that requires us to get into a new shape.

I remember the very first time I went to a client meeting when I worked in investment banking.  I can honestly say I had never been so nervous in all my life.  Why?  Because I wasn’t in shape.  I had never imagined I would work in Banking.  So not one part of my anatomy was in it – I couldn’t see it with my eyes, touch it with my hands or believe it in my heart.

When we are doing something for the very first time, it’s a new set of circumstances.  So we often need to get into a new shape.  It requires imagination.  It requires you to see yourself as that new shape.   And as long as your heart is in it, you will transform yourself.