How to chart your transformation

Change's easy. Yet, sometimes it doesn't feel like it. A personal disruption, a company transformation, a startup pivot, and similar adventures come with highs and lows. One minute you're 100% confident about the pathway to take. Next, not so much. That's part of the process. And to navigate such a ride, project management tools may come in need, but the deal-breaker resides in how you approach change. 

First, don't play games you can't win.
Second, get clear on what success looks like.
Third, trust the process, your process, and stay long enough to reap the benefits. Fourth, after you have tested your hypotheses, capture results and what you learned.
Fifth, start a new chapter, now with a greater perspective, experience, and wisdom. 

That's how you chart your transformation, one cycle at a time. After all, seasons change and so can you. 

Now, a change story will be boring unless it comes with a soundtrack. Here are three power songs I use to anchor my purpose, surf the messy-middle part, and celebrate. May you sing the choruses at the top of your lungs. 

SONG #1
Sing this when you need to reconnect with your purpose.

Darling, don’t quit your daydream
It's your life that you're making
It ain't big enough if it doesn't scare the hell out of you
If it makes you nervous
It's probably worth it
Why save it for sleep when you could be living your daydream?

Lily Meola - Daydream

SONG #2
Sing this when you are in the middle of a storm. 

I've been feeling
Inside out in my feelings
Upside down on the ceiling
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, yeah, yeah
I'm finally breathing
The smoke ain't gone but it's clearing
I ain't there yet but I'm healing
I ain't there yet but I'm healing

Fletcher - Healing

BONUS
Sing this when you need an extra reminder. Come on, you're this close. 

This time, I won't be complacent
The dreams I gave up and wasted
A new high, a new ride and I'm on fire
My old sh*t ends here tonight

Blink 182 - ANTHEM PART 3

SONG #3
Sing this when you complete a milestone (and it's time to celebrate.)

'Cause I'm on top of the world, hey
I'm on top of the world, hey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, hey
Been holding it in for a while, hey
Take you with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world

Imagine Dragons - On Top of the World

Of course, I listened to this very soundtrack (and sang on repeat) while writing this to you. Right now, my life's sitting on Song #3. This year I took a great bet on myself and it has paid off. I'm grateful for this high. I'm ready to keep charting, lows included. 

Thanks for being part of my journey. 

Alberto. 

PS: Now tell me, what's cooking on your side? Hit reply with your Power Songs, and let me know if I can help you chart the next chapter of your journey, too. 

On the cover:

A mountain trail with highs and lows. Drawn by Alberto.