What is Transformative Learning?

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Nancy Poon, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Transformative learning is all about deep, meaningful change, starting with a shake-up and ending with a brand-new way of seeing yourself and the world. Here’s how the journey typically unfolds:

It all starts with a disorienting dilemma:
The definition comes from Jack Mezirow, who describes “disorienting dilemma” as a life event, experience, or realization that challenges a person’s existing belief, assumptions, or world views, causing confusion, discomfort, and prompt deep reflection & potential personal growth. In other words, something happens that throws you off, such as an event or experience that challenges your usual way of thinking.

Next comes self-reflection:
You begin examining your own ideas, beliefs, and responses. Why do you think the way you do?
You uncover hidden assumptions. As you dig deeper, you realize you’ve been carrying certain assumption, maybe without even realizing it. And, some of these may no longer be serving you.
You discover you’re not alone. You begin to see that others have faced similar dilemmas and grown through them, too. With this self-reflection experience you explore what needs to shift.
You start to imagine a new role or way of being, one that better fits who you’re becoming. As an example, perhaps your shyness is no longer something that fits who you aspire to be.

Then comes the action phase:
You make a plan, gain new knowledge and skills, and start trying things out in real life.

And over time:
You build confidence, develop competence in your new role, and begin to live out your new perspective and spreading that change into every corner of your life.

Transformative learning isn’t just about thinking differently, it’s about being different in a way that’s deeply authentic and aligned with who you really are.

Ready to align your life and work to who you really are? Let’s explore it together, e-mail me at cconversations808@gmail.com for a discovery call.
Nancy Poon, M.Ed, R.D. Transformative Life Coach