“Whole Hog” is Just One Part of the Growth Formula

“Whole Hog”, that’s how I would describe my approach to making changes in my life. 

A few years ago, I wanted to start meditating.  The sensible approach would be to set aside a few minutes each day and learn to be still and reflect.  This would help gradually build a habit over time that I could integrate into my routine.

What did I do?

I went “Whole Hog”. I had remembered having a conversation in university with a girl that had just recently attended a ten-day silent retreat.  I did a little googling and signed up for the first one I came across. 

Did I read testimonials or how I should prepare for the course?  Don’t be silly, that wouldn’t be “Whole Hog” now would it?

The retreat experience was fantastic.  I gained more emotional strength than I have over any other ten-day span in recent memory and will write about specifics of what I learned in a subsequent article. However, I struggled to apply what I had learned into a day-to-day routine.  Last year, reflecting with a group of friends, I realized, in my approach I was gathering unique experiences but neglecting an important aspect of growth, developing the daily commitment and discipline to change. 

Knowing my predilection to undertake “Whole Hog” experiences, I have shifted my attention to combining them with less drastic, more incremental changes that leverage and build on learnings from these experiences.   

To give some context, I have defined and cited examples of these two types of change, incremental and drastic, below.

Type 1: Incremental Change

A change that is taken on step-by-step and methodically integrated into your life.

Example: Do one push up today – two tomorrow, and so on, or read ten pages of literature every night before bed.

Pros:

· Develops discipline and commitment

· Allows you to realize your limits in a controlled environment

Cons:

· Doesn’t ask you to go beyond your perceived limits

· Easy to skip out on a day

Type 2:  Drastic Change

Having an experience that is difficult to replicate because of its heightened demand emotionally, physically, and/or mentally.

Example: Starting a new job or participating in a detox program

Pros:

· Lessons learned are often more profound and remembered more deeply

· The experience can unveil new or unexpected results

 Cons:

·Can shake confidence or create doubt about one’s abilities

·More risk associated with them

Understanding that growth can be undertaken both incrementally has drastically has radically shifted the way I approach my own personal growth efforts. I understand now, how to integrate the two together and capitalize on their symbiotic relationship and how combining the two means that the “Whole Hog” experiences are now leading to more sustained growth.

The “Whole Hog” experiences are now finding a way to take stronger hold in my day-to-day life, minus the smell of course.