Over 40+ hours on planes, trains, and automobiles over the last few weeks gave me time to reflect on something I’ve learned across 20,000+ hours helping teams improve their business processes — and from my top three influencers in the counseling field.
We usually assume change works like this: change your heart, and your actions will follow.
George Simon, PhD, inverts that model — and I know he’s right from working with many of you reading this.
Acting differently first can change what you believe and feel. You don’t wait to feel convicted before doing the right thing. Doing the right thing, repeatedly, is what produces the conviction.
That’s his read of metanoia: transformation through practice, not just insight.
I’ve watched this play out for two decades — in organizations and in individual lives.
Organization, offices & teams that transform don’t wait for “buy-in.” Instead, they:
- Run the meeting they used to complain about.
- Enforce the boundary that feels awkward.
- Use the process they aren’t fully sold on yet.
Individuals who transform don’t wait to “feel like it.” Instead, they:
- Have the hard conversation before they feel brave.
- Keep the commitment before they feel disciplined.
- Show up to the work before they feel motivated.
Both behave like who they want to become — and the belief catches up.
Don’t wait to feel ready. Act your way into believing.
