Personal transformation in 6 simple steps

New Delhi, (IANSlife) Often we have had moments of self-introspection in our lives where we have questioned ourselves- where is our life heading and what is the purpose of our life? We would have also felt the need to improve ourselves and the urge to explore ourselves better and walk on the path of personal growth. In pursuit of happiness, people today are actively adopting the path of personal transformation.

The journey of personal transformation

Life is unpredictable and challenging. We never really know what might happen in the next two minutes or even two hours from now! Amid such unforeseen circumstances, knowing our purpose in life, outgrowing ourselves, and possessing the power to deal with roadblocks can feel satisfying. Investing in ourselves can be a truly rewarding and memorable experience, which only personal transformation can offer.

The process of self-transformation is all about knowing ourselves better, changing some aspects of who we are and how we are leading our lives, and taking action to bring about a transformation. It is a conscious, well-thought decision and a form of commitment to ourselves where we want to bring about a positive change.

The ultimate guide to personal transformation

Whether it is a homemaker, a corporate employee, an entrepreneur, a parent, a college student, or even a middle-aged adult, being vulnerable, not knowing how to handle a crisis, and inability to face setbacks is common. The bottom line is any individual can be prone to negativity and issues in any aspect of their life. And all of us are looking for solutions or the path to obtaining the solution. It is a personal transformation that we are in search of.

The very core of self-transformation lies in a positive state of mind. And the key to personal transformation is understanding that the changes come from within. If we want to lay a strong foundation for a better tomorrow, then ‘now’ is the right time to take a closer look at the only thing we can change to achieve the same: ourselves. Here is a six-step guide for a successful personal transformation experience:

A clear vision

The first step in this journey begins with simple questions - What do you want to achieve in life and Why is it important to me personally?

Seeking answers to these questions will help you identify the purpose of your life. The ultimate goal is to become a better version of ourselves. Having said that, a specific, well-defined goal is essential to walk on the right path and track your progress. When it comes to specific goals think across multiple areas of your life; health, relationships, emotional well-being, career, finances, Adventures & experiences you would like, etc.

Take it slow but be consistent

Rome was not built in a day! Similarly, personal transformation cannot happen overnight. It is a gradual process and it certainly won’t be a linear pathway. On some days, the progress will be tremendous, and on some days, you’ll find yourself taking a few steps back. Recognise that this IS the path towards growth, there is no path to growth that doesn’t include setbacks. This understanding keeps us moving forward and making consistent progress toward our goals.

Learn and upskill yourself

An integral step in the self-transformation process is to increase your knowledge bank. Utilize the power of the internet and read inspirational stories about people who conquered their fears and emerged victorious, and learn about tips and tricks from people who created their own personal transformation pathway. Read books, browse through blogs, groups, and communities, and watch documentaries. In fact, even connect with like-minded people, socialize with them, and gather first-hand accounts of their journeys. Who knows, you could end up making some long-lasting friendships and find a mentor who will be able to guide you on your journey! Once you have a positive environment around you, your innate passion will drive you to make efforts every day and the inspiring stories of community members will motivate you to take another step in your journey ahead.

Embrace the change

Transformation will be a challenging journey and will require bidding goodbye to comfort and stability. Growth will be accompanied by discomfort and fear. You will have to step into new environments, meet new people, and build connections. The sooner you realize and accept this fact, the faster you will be able to embrace the self-transformation process. You will have to push yourself to work through it and shouldn’t let anything put you down.

Track your progress

Once you achieve your goals and look back at how far you have come, your heart will be filled with a sense of pride and achievement. Hence, it's strongly recommended to break down your vision and journey into milestones, sub-goals, and stages. This will help you keep track of your progress, observe the small goals you accomplish, and even give you an opportunity to celebrate small victories as you go along the way, further pushing you to keep up the momentum.

The right perspective

Throughout your personal transformation journey, having the right approach and perspective is critical for your success. You must understand life isn’t about accomplishment or glamour. It’s about meaningful experiences and enjoying every moment. We should lead healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives and not waste them in anxiety, fear, or stress. And personal transformation will guide you on the same path.

To sum up

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! This proverbial phrase encourages optimism and suggests that any adversity in life (compared with the sourness of lemons) can be dealt with with a positive attitude. We can imbibe such an optimistic approach only when we have covered the journey of personal transformation and have outgrown it as an individual.Self-transformation paves the way for self-improvement and changes our lives for the better. The process is long and continuous and requires patience, hard work persistence, and, most importantly, a mentor. Today, there are various dedicated organizations providing access to proven life design strategies, a holistic approach to transformation, fun and immersive learning experiences, and the opportunity to attend specially curated retreats, summits, festivals, etc. Such companies are turning personal growth into lifelong adventure and facilitating learning about different life aspects and personal breakthroughs while fostering connections with the sole objective of helping people achieve their personal, business, and spiritual goals. Personal transformation in 6 simple steps | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
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Western Tatami Mat Mania Keeping Alive Japan’s Traditional Woven Grass Flooring Industry

A modern tatami room – credit, Filiz Elaerts on Unsplash

Western admirers of Japanese aesthetic are keeping afloat tatami craftsmen in Japan, where modernity and maintenance requirements are driving down interest in this artisanal form of flooring.

From Europe to the US and even in the Middle East, eager importers of tatami mats now account for a sizable amount of orders from workshops like that run by Mr. Fumio Kuboki.

Kuboki is just the latest of his kin to run the family business which has been making tatami mats for 280 years. He still sells mostly to the Japanese market, but substantial help is coming from across the Pacific.

Half of the company’s international orders come from the US, Kuboki told the Japan Times.

For hundreds of years, a Japanese house wouldn’t be complete without wall-to-wall mats made of woven grass, called tatami. Made of tightly woven igusa grass, they were the standard feature in all dry rooms.

But one of Japan’s great marvels is that, even with as characteristic and attractive a traditional culture as it cultivated over the centuries, its modern aesthetic and lifestyle is almost just as iconic. As a result, the tatami mat has become somewhat neglected among Japanese crafts: reminiscent of your grandparents house and rural living.

Western-style flooring began to be the norm starting in the 1970s, and China began mass producing synthetic tatami that was easier to clean, longer-lasting, and cheaper to replace. As a result, it’s estimated that every year, 40 traditional tatami makers close up shop for good.

Yet for the increasing number of foreign residents, tatami represents the attractiveness of the Japanese aesthetic, and as well as installing it in their residences in the country, many of them bring it back to Europe or the US.

Arno Suzuki, a professor of architectural design at Kyoto Tachibana University who has studied the use of tatami in Spain, Italy and France, told the Times that seeing the appreciation for tatami among the rest of the world has somewhat reminded the younger generations of Japan of its value

Having a tatami “space” in an apartment or house is suddenly not as uncool as it once was.

“Nowadays they have a tatami space—not a tatami room, but at the corner of their living room they have three or four tatami mats, and they enjoy it. And also, many people realize that it’s better for when—especially when they have small kids, like toddlers and babies, it’s safer for them to crawl,” Suzuki told the Times.

In the city of Kobe, Taro Mano is the 4th in his family to take over the 70-year-old tatami business. He too has seen a rise from foreign buyers in countries like those Suzuki studied in.

“Tatami is a kind of symbol of Japan. It’s an easy way to express a Japanese atmosphere, even in other countries,” Mr. Mano said, adding that he first thought the interest would come from the United States, but it came to be far more diverse than that.

Mr. Kuboki makes some 10% of his revenues from overseas sales, with many of his products being stocked year-round at Japan House in Los Angeles. 100 years ago, no one ever wondered what else could be made of tatami, but now, whether it’s a coaster or a book cover, the artform is being reimagined.“Every day I talk with visitors and listen to what kind of tatami they want,” Mr. Kuboki said. “The products that are selected and loved by people are the ones that will naturally become the future of tatami. The future of tatami will be decided by customers.” Western Tatami Mat Mania Keeping Alive Japan’s Traditional Woven Grass Flooring Industry
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