The days of Barney Fyfe are long gone and law enforcement, military, and para-military people are professional to the core. So, it’s hard to imagine even that a conversation like this could occur between law enforcement officers: “Hey Jim, would you mind swinging by my apartment before we answer that call? I just realized I forgot to bring my gun with me!” Or, you could simply substitute for “gun”  the words “bulletproof vest” or “protective headgear” depending on the nature of the mission. The point is, professional people bring with them and have with them at all times the equipment they need to complete their mission. They do that by donning or securing the equipment they will need for each day in a systematic fashion, utilizing a checklist or a visual inspection method that prevents any oversight that could be fatal!

So, even though that mythical conversation above probably never happens between LEOs, something similar far too often takes place between we transformers and ourselves. It usually goes like this: “uh-oh, I forgot my food–again!” Or, “wait a minute! I’m sure I put that workout journal in my bag–didn’t I?” Or even, “Darn it! When I said I was going to do my cardio tonight I forgot all about that evening group meeting.”

The end result of this kind of behavior, particularly if it is repetitive, is destructive. What it does is to impair self-confidence, which is one of the keys to making a good transformation. It also, of course, can impair results overall if it becomes a habitual problem, but even just a two or three times a week occurrence of one or more of these common lapses can really distract a transformer and rob confidence to the point that it really becomes a problem. Only one thing is worse, and that is habitually and intentionally cheating on the diet.

Preparation and follow through is key in the spiritual formation portion of a transformation as well. Most Christians are quite familiar with Paul’s famous passage to the Ephesians, at chapter 6, where he exhorts them to “put on the full armor of God,” and names each and every weapon or shield that they need to take up in order to do battle with the enemy. 

So, whether the “enemy” is you and your disorganized efforts at preparation, or it is some outside force, the key to winning the battle is to use a checklist, daily, to prioritize all your transformation efforts and protect them from outside interference, and to follow through cheerfully and relentlessly. In the end, if you do that, the victory will be yours. But, if you show up for the big game and you’re not even in uniform, I’m afraid the outcome has already been determined.  

Discipline of the mind, body and spirit–the key to a real and lasting transformation!