We all have the power to improve the health of our nation. 

• Nearly 15 percent of U.S. kids are obese.  This will be the first generation that will not live longer than their parents.
• More than 75 percent of health care costs are due to chronic conditions but less than two percentof spending is aimed at prevention.
• 40 percent of premature deaths are due to lifestyle.

You might be asking, “What does this have to do with me?”  It’s simple; your circumstances do not determine your outcomes.  This means you have the power to transform yourself and be a part of transforming these statistics. 

It all starts with Personal Transformation

According to Deepok Chopra, founder of the Chopra Center for Well Being, changing the world for the better starts with transforming yourself – period.  Are you practicing what you preach or waiting for someone else to change so you don’t have to?  It doesn’t work that way, as we are all interconnected.  When you transform yourself, even a little, you impact the world around you and help to transform it.

Through his research, Jim Collins (organizational transformation guru and author of “Good to Great” and “Built to Last”) found that greatness in any capacity (health, academic or career success, etc.) comes from conscious choice and discipline.  It’s not about constantly changing but about having a framework of consistent principles and increased discipline.

Think about it – are you constantly jumping on the next big thing or the next quick fix for your health, finances, stress, etc.?  If you do, this means you are likely inconsistent in your life.  The key to mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.  If you want to transform and have greatness in your life, you need to have discipline – building a little bit more each day towards your goals and being consistent.

Transformation starts with a Question

The universe is a field of infinite possibilities until you ask a question.  Asking a question provides you with a choice; there is great power in choice.  Passively waiting for things to happen does not produce results.  Transformation starts with an active choice, so start being curious and asking questions.

The key is to re-prioritize your life.  Make a list of what is most important to you.  Then rather than making a to-do list, make a stop-doing list.  You need to stop doing what does not fit and keeps you from what is most important.  To stop doing things takes real discipline but is essential.  The other key is to ask questions.  Rather than being full of statements such as “I know this” or “I can’t do that,” try changing them to questions of “what can I learn?” or “what’s a new way to look at this situation?”  We all have the power to make a difference, but it starts with ourselves – disciplined people with disciplined thought and disciplined action.

Additional Information

Deepak Chopra helped create the Alliance for a New Humanity in 2003 which focuses on personal transformation as a path to changing the world for the better.  For more information, visit www.anhglobal.org.

If you are stuck in your ways, consider taking even small steps to work towards your own personal transformation.  The HealthyU website has an abundance of resources to assist you.  Questions are the foundation of coaching – which produces profound results.  See the power of this put into practice through the HealthyU Lifestyle Makeover Program.

Author:  Rosie Ward, MPH, CHES, Intrinsic Coach™; Health and Wellness Director, Northwestern Health Sciences University.