The 3 A’s of Transformation
A Simple Practice That Can Change the Way You Think, Communicate, and Live
Over the years, I’ve learned that transformation doesn’t have to be complicated.
In fact, I believe some of the most powerful changes in our lives begin with something very simple: awareness.
I developed a three-step process for transformation that I encourage my students and clients to practice for 21 days—and hopefully, for the rest of their lives.
Ready?
Step 1: AWARENESS
Step 2: AWARENESS
Step 3: AWARENESS
Yes, that’s it.
The 3 A’s: Awareness. Awareness. Awareness.
They may look like the same step, but each represents a very different stage of personal growth.
Step 1: Becoming Aware
The first level of awareness is recognizing a thought, behavior, reaction, or pattern in yourself that is no longer serving you.
Maybe you become defensive during difficult conversations. Perhaps you constantly criticize yourself, procrastinate, worry about things you can’t control, or repeat the same unhealthy relationship patterns.
Whatever it is, transformation cannot begin until you can see it.
And there’s no need for judgment here.
You’re simply becoming the observer and saying:
“I notice that I do this.”
That alone is progress.
Step 2: Catching Yourself in the Moment
The second level of awareness happens when you begin noticing the pattern while you’re doing it.
This is a big shift.
Most of us recognize our behavior afterward.
I wish I hadn’t said that.
I shouldn’t have reacted that way.
Why did I let that bother me so much?
But as your awareness grows, something interesting happens: you begin to observe yourself in real time.
Let’s say you have a pattern of becoming angry and raising your voice during disagreements. Usually, you recognize it later and feel badly about how you communicated.
With the second level of awareness, you suddenly hear yourself raising your voice while it’s happening.
You haven’t necessarily changed the behavior yet—but now you can see it as it unfolds.
And that brings you to the most powerful step.
Step 3: Making a Different Choice
The third level of awareness is where transformation begins to take shape.
You recognize the pattern.
You notice it happening.
And then you choose differently.
Using the same example, you might catch yourself raising your voice and stop.
You could say:
“Excuse me. This isn’t how I want to communicate. Let me start again.”
Or, if you’re too angry to have a productive conversation:
“I need a little time. Can we continue this conversation later?”
You have interrupted the old pattern.
And in that moment, you’ve created something incredibly powerful:
choice.
Transformation Happens in the Moment
We often think transformation is one enormous breakthrough.
Usually, it isn’t.
Transformation happens in small moments when we become aware enough to choose a different response.
Awareness creates a pause.
And inside that pause is the opportunity to choose who you want to be.
At first, you may recognize an unhealthy pattern hours—or even days—after it happens.
Keep practicing.
Eventually, you’ll notice it while it’s happening.
Keep practicing.
Then one day, you’ll catch yourself in that moment and make a different choice.
That is growth.
Try the 3 A’s for 21 Days
For the next 21 days, become curious about yourself.
Notice your thoughts.
Notice your words.
Notice your reactions.
Notice the patterns that strengthen your life—and the ones that don’t.
Most importantly, don’t expect perfection.
Practice awareness, not judgment.
With patience and practice, those small moments of awareness begin adding up to something much bigger.
You begin communicating differently.
Responding differently.
Thinking differently.
Living differently.
And little by little, you discover that transformation isn’t about becoming an entirely different person.
It’s about becoming aware enough to choose the person you want to be.
Remember the 3 A’s:
Awareness. Awareness. Awareness.
Simple?
Absolutely.
Easy?
Not always.
Life-changing? I believe it can be.
With gratitude,
Lisa Goodwin
