When you think of an operating system what do you think of? Have you ever considered that you have an operating system? Do you know what makes up your operating system? As human beings we have three human operating systems. Our human operating systems consist of the following: the Belief System, which is our beliefs as defined by values and perceptions, the Thinking System which is the forms of skills that we apply when thinking, and then the Behavior System, which is how we actually behave when the first two come together. As with any computer operating system that requires period modification, our human operating systems need modification also.
The starting place of all personal transformation is the human operating systems. Transformation is different from change. Change is essentially a comparison to something that previously existed. By its very nature, change is past-based. Essentially, change yields more, better, or different from what came before. Transformation, on the other hand, is an act of bringing forth or inventing. It is something created, and is inherently expansive and infinite.
The Belief System
In order to start our personal transformational process we must first examine our belief system. All that we believe we have been taught or learned within our environment. In examining our belief systems, we need to be asking ourselves what we believe, why, and is it applicable in attaining my goals. This is not performed in a vacuum.
The Thinking System
We need to examine how we think, why we think the way we do and how we think. Our ability to think dictates our decisions, which dictate our actions, which creates results. In order to change our results we must change how we think therefore our Belief System must change. When we change how we think we make different decision, we take different actions and we create different results. We need the necessary thinking tools to accomplish this in a creative manner and accomplish them in the real world. Thinking tools are important because we were never taught to think. We were taught to recite what we were told was correct. We were measured by our correct our recitation of that information.
Also embedded with our belief system are our perceptions. Everything begins with perception. Perception is our ability to see with our mind. If we limit our perception by excluding ideas or information we limit our view of reality and, therefore, our potential. Everyone’s perception is different because we all experience different things in different ways. Learning from different perceptions broadens our own. We must open our minds to do so. If our perception is narrow, our ability to ‘perceive’ (see) choices will also be limited. The choices exist, but perception precludes us from seeing them. Broadening our perception is the key to better thinking and better choices! It is the key to a better life!
The Chinese say that “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear” and this is a direct reference to perception. None of us knows everything and other people are a great source of learning if we are willing to open our minds to them being teachers. Before we can learn anything, we must be willing to have our perceptions challenged. A philosopher once said “You cannot teach something to someone that he already thinks he knows.” Expanding our perception is the key to learning anything and it starts with challenging what we think we already know.
It takes courage to examine who we are. It takes even more courage to ask for help when one is going through the personal transformation process. It is a revolutionary process in which a coach can help facilitate. Be courageous, transform your life. Be courageous, hire a personal transformation coach. You will not regret finding the you that seeks to be found.
© 2012, Dr. Terry Jackson. All rights reserved.
Terry Jackson is a highly accomplished, experienced and dynamic Certified Executive Coach, Leadership Development Coach, Life Coach, Sales Trainer, Business Coach and Consultant. Terry’s passion and purpose is helping others improve their quality of life.
