What contributed to my transformation
Most just shook their head.
Some told me what they thought about my decision to leave a well-paid job in finance to operate a coffee truck. Not all of those comments were positive.
A few people were geniunely interested in understanding what triggered my decision in the first place.
Those asking the question suspected either an act of frustration or a flash of inspiration to be at the origin of my decision making. It was none of the two, but rather a series of experiences, which had a few characteristics in common.
This is an attempt to demystify the concept of a transformative experience by highlighting some of its constituting parts based on personal experience.
Transformation Contributor #1: Curiosity and Openness
Embarking on a journey to enjoy the ride can be so much more exciting than the prospect of reaching the ultimate destination.
Who would otherwise register for a week-long fool workshop 900km away from home?
Certainly not me.
However, I had myself talked into joining a friend of mine who had apparently done the research.
The railway station turned theatre in the small town of Pézenas in the south of France was painted in plain black: floor, walls, ceiling and curtains. Never before had I been in a place as dark as this. There were four chairs standing in the middle of the room. So this was our workshop venue.
I didn’t know anyone other than my companion nor did I have prior on stage experience. Not that it would have helped me anyway.
What followed were the five most emotional days of my life. I hadn’t become another person. The way I saw and appreciated myself as well as the world around me had changed dramatically, though. I left humbled by the experience and ready to «create rather than being created».
Transformation Contributor #2: Unfamiliar Settings and New Encounters
We feel naturally confident in known places around friends and family, less so in unfamiliar settings with new faces where we don’t know what to expect.
I attended my first Ideenkanal camp out of the blue. Without understanding fully what it was all about, I had myself talked into sponsoring the event. It was a platform promoting meaningful ideas and offering idea providers access to dozens of volunteering technical experts at no cost. Good enough for me.
The camp was held in a beautiful estate next to a forest. Evening events took place in a large tent with live music playing till the early morning hours. Attendees had all sorts of backgrounds and came from different places.
The spirit at the camp was a mix of enthusiasm and generosity, which were equally contagious. Everybody gave without expecting anything in return. The tangible outcome were a number of ideas making it through a crowdfunding campaign successfully.
Personally, I was most impressed by the giant leap one could make in such a short period of time if the right people got together at the right place for the right reason.
Transformation Contributor #3: Lack of Status
We often settle for a role and then keep playing it no matter what. Does it have to be that way?
I decided to attend Seth Godin’s altMBA early last year. The program asks participants from around the globe to deliver on 14 projects within four weeks. No teacher, no script and no test. Teams of 4–5 are reshuffled every week out of a group of 20 students.
It became apparent quite quickly that one would get out of the program what one was willing to put into it. There were coaches supporting the students in technical matters or helping them push through a motivational dip. However, no point in raising requests or complaints to a higher authority. We were the program. Everybody could lead and follow situationally. And we all did. No need for a leader, manager or boss and no entitlement because of an earlier achievement.
I realized that a world of opportunities opened up for everyone as soon as we all started to contribute unselfishly. Giving was the new way of taking or rather receiving.
Wonder, move and be humble.
