Thanks for all of your positive feedback on the Q1 theme of Transformation!

It’s been fun to see how enthusiastic you are about reclaiming the word from corporate speak and infusing it with new meaning in the context of Consciousness 😉.

Today, we delve into the first module in this series: Decision-Making.

Part 1: Introduction

In our last newsletter, we defined transformation as greater access to choice.

Transformation is the ability to choose differently.

This leads us to ask:

  • “What shapes our choices?”
  • “Why aren’t all options readily apparent and available?”
  • “What steers our decisions and limits our choices?”

The answer often lies in the things that matter most to us. Let’s start there 😊.

Part 2: What Matters Most?

Ask anyone on the street what their highest values are, and you’re likely to hear responses like:

  • “Integrity”
  • “Honesty”
  • “Happiness”

Now, follow up with questions like:

  • “How much money did you spend last year on honesty?”
  • “How much time did you dedicate last year to honesty?”
  • “How often did you and your best friend discuss honesty?”

For those focused on philosophical pursuits, the answers may be, “a lot of time, money, and discussion!”

But for most of us, these ideals don’t translate into tangible dedication to the cause.

If you ask someone where they actually spend their money, time, and energy, you’ll likely hear answers like:

  • “My kids”
  • “Skiing”
  • “Traveling”
  • “My business”
  • “My house”

These answers reveal the things no one has to force you to focus on—they are your Intrinsic Drivers (I.D.s).

Part 3: What Are Intrinsic Drivers?

Intrinsic Drivers represent the things that truly motivate you from the inside out.

They are:

  • The foundation of your choices.
  • A lens into who you are.

That’s why we shorten them to I.D.s (Intrinsic Drivers = Identity).

Our work on I.D.s is inspired by the behavioral discoveries of Dr. John DeMartini. He believes your current priorities are directly reflected in where you spend your time, energy, and money.

Examples of DeMartini’s Values Exercise:

  • “Kids/Family”
  • “Business”
  • “Hobbies”

While these insights are helpful, we like to take it a step further:

What happens when life changes?

  • An injury keeps you off the slopes.
  • Your kids leave home.
  • You sell your business.

By identifying deeper, enduring motivators, we can find meaning across all areas of life.

Examples of Deeper Motivators:

  • “Hobbies” → Crafting Meaningful Experiences
  • “Business” → Making an Impact
  • “Kids” → Guiding and Mentoring

These abstractions allow you to adapt, ensuring your I.D.s remain relevant even when circumstances change.

Part 4: Places of Friction

It’s impossible to live in contradiction to your Intrinsic Drivers (Identity).

When you try, you may experience:

  • Internal conflict.
  • Frustration.
  • Burnout.

Examples of Misalignment:

  • Someone who values Adventure may feel constrained in a business that lacks novelty.
  • Someone whose I.D. is Resilience may struggle in a role focused on compliance over problem-solving.
  • Someone driven by Personal Growth may feel dissatisfied in a role without continuous feedback or mentorship.

Why Do We Stay in Misaligned Situations?

  • Basic Needs: If your basic needs (like safety or financial security) aren’t met, higher-level drivers are harder to pursue.
  • Presence: Step 1 is getting honest about your current reality.

Part 5: From Friction to Choice

Once you’ve gotten honest, you can ask:

  • “How do I get where I want to be?”

This brings us back to choice.

Key Questions to Reflect On:

  1. Are the things that matter to you truly yours?
    • Are they inherited, unquestioned, or outdated?
  2. Have you stopped to evaluate if what used to be important still matters today?

Sometimes, dissonance arises from subconscious beliefs that influence your decisions.

This dissonance is a clue. It signals something hidden in your belief system that’s influencing your choices.

When you uncover these beliefs, you unlock greater freedom and choice.

This will be the subject of our next note. ⚡️

For Now, Practice: Finding Your Drivers

Let’s try a journaling exercise to explore your I.D.s. Reflect on these prompts:

  1. Your Ideals:
    Write down three values or ideals you believe are most important in your life.
  2. Your Reality:
    Think about how you spent your time, energy, and money over the last month. List three areas where most of your resources were focused.
  3. The Gaps:
    Compare your two lists. Are your ideals and reality aligned? If not, where do you see the biggest gaps?
  4. Reflection:
    What insights do these gaps reveal about your true I.D.s? How might you begin to close the distance between your ideals and reality?

Share Your Findings

If you journal on these questions, please shoot me a note to share what you find.

As always, thanks for reading. See you next time for: Beliefs.

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