Transformation is tricky. Unlike growth, which in many ways refers to enlarging or strengthening an existing form, transformation implies taking a fundamentally different shape from what used to be. Transformation requires us to eliminate what no longer serves us so we can reveal who we were destined to become.

I distinctly remember one period of transformation I went through in 2022. I had been working with my executive coach for about four years, and had seen the evidence of growth in many areas of my life - professionally, personally, even relationally. But I had reached a point where growth alone wasn’t enough. We both knew it was time for transformation. But I didn’t know how to do it.

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I was challenged by my coach to conduct a limiting-belief audit. She encouraged me to take a few days and write down any and all limiting beliefs that came to my mind. In 48 hours, I had over 70 independent individual thoughts that were limiting beliefs. Thoughts about how I showed up at work, how I interacted with my son, my spouse, my family. Thoughts about not being good enough, smart enough, sharp enough, you name it…I wasn’t “enough” of it. Now, not all of those limiting beliefs were completely bad, but they were no longer useful for where I was in life or where I was going. Despite all the growth I had experienced, I couldn’t move to the next level of my purpose in my current form.

When a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, it has just completed a period of tremendous growth. In some species, the caterpillar grows to almost 3000 times its original size. But it’s still a caterpillar. It still moves like a caterpillar, slowly, methodically. It still eats like a caterpillar - using its powerful mouthparts to munch and digest leaves. It still functions like a caterpillar. Importantly, at this juncture, the caterpillar has fulfilled the purpose of this life stage—growth. Once this growth stage is complete, the caterpillar begins the transformation process. It eliminates what will no longer serve its new purpose and develops the parts that will.

It searches until it finds a quiet, safe, secluded spot to begin the transformation process. After securing itself to its transformation home, the caterpillar begins by shedding its outer layer. The layer that has made it recognizable as a caterpillar splits, revealing its chrysalis underneath. The chrysalis encapsulates the entire transformation process. It is initially dark and opaque. You can’t see in, and the caterpillar that is becoming a butterfly can’t see out.

In this chrysalis, special cells that contain the genetic material of the butterfly begin to multiply and develop. The organism develops new body parts that did not exist before it began this transformation. Wings to allow for flight and a new perspective. Compound eyes to see distance, movement, and colors that were previously imperceptible to the caterpillar. A long straw-like mouthpiece designed to suck nectar from flowers, no longer capable of eating leaves. That’s right, the new version of itself cannot even be sustained on what used to feed its old self!

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​When the transformation is nearing completion, the walls of the chrysalis start to thin and become translucent. You can start to see the shape and features of the newly transformed butterfly from the outside, even though it is still bundled up in the chrysalis, waiting for the right time to emerge. But it has completely changed shape, size and purpose. All behind a shield, not out in the open, but in seclusion.

Just like the caterpillar’s transformation process, personal transformation isn't glamorous, and honestly, it's often very uncomfortable. The real work is done not in the open, but in seclusion, internally. You have to get rid of things that were previously armor for you, things that you previously viewed as the external shield between you and the world. The way you saw the world, the way you saw yourself, and the way you interacted with the world- all of this has to change.

So back to my 70 limiting beliefs surfaced in 48 hours.

Being the nerd that I am (🤓), I put each of those thoughts into an Excel spreadsheet and started to categorize them. I took each of those limiting beliefs and, after categorizing them, I looked for common themes. When I did that, a few themes stood out, reflecting how I viewed myself at the time. My coach then challenged me to convert each of those limiting beliefs into a positive affirmation or a “liberating truth,” as Michael Hyatt would call them.

Several core messages surfaced. I took those new affirmations and put them into what I call my "I am" statement. It started off with me acknowledging that I embody and live out my core values- Faith-directed, Fearless, Flexibly Focused, Aligned, and Authentic. It then followed with a reframe of each of the former limiting beliefs that had at times crippled me or prevented me from reaching for or attempting bigger things. I then took each of those positive affirmations and liberating truths, wrote them out, and put them in a prominent place where I could see them and repeat them daily. I even recorded myself reading them so that I could listen to them over and over again until I began to internalize them.

It was after this process of internalizing my new liberating truths that the new version of who I was started to emerge. My willingness to take on bigger challenges grew because I was no longer afraid or limited by what I thought I could accomplish, recognizing that I was given the capabilities and resources to do bigger things, as that was part of my purpose.

That Targeted Pain Treatment documentary that I mentioned in my last post? That idea came to me during a coaching session just 2 months after I completed this limiting-belief audit and transformation process. Before that, the biggest platform I had envisioned to get the message out about Targeted Pain Treatment was a webinar! Talk about a perspective shift!

When you feel like you have reached a point in your personal growth where progress has slowed, and change feels imminent, maybe it’s time to recognize that you’re entering a season of transformation. What habits, behaviors, and thoughts have gotten you where you are, but may no longer serve you where you’re going?

Don’t be afraid to go through the transformation process. It may be uncomfortable at first, but remember: on the other side of transformation is a perspective shift that opens new possibilities for you…possibilities that allow you to manifest the purpose you were created to fulfill.

Until next time. 🦋

Stephanie G. Vanterpool, MD, MBA
​Physician • Educator • Researcher • Writer
​Founder, Blueprints & Butterflies

P. S. If this reflection resonated with you, share it with someone who may need it too. They can join us at BlueprintsandButterflies.com 🦋
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