This is the question I kept asking myself over and over again as I looked around, observing the marveling eyes of 17,459 people—men and women, of all ages, watch him take control of the room with unbreakable confidence.

He did it. He succeeded. His transformation was justified. But how? And how can I transform like that?

We all yearn to transform ourselves. To become better. To become more of who we are. To feel more comfortable in our ever-changing skin. To change our behaviors, our environment, our trajectory. But transformation is not easy. I remember the days when people felt embarrassed to ever admit that they even somewhat liked *NSync, especially that weird blonde, curly-haired Justin. Boy bands were snuffed out almost as fast as they were ignited.

But now it is a badge of honor, a sense of unyielding pride to be his fan—especially if you have stuck with him throughout his whole journey. (A special gold star for those who have been with him since the Mickey Mouse Club.)

So how did Justin do it? How did he capture a broader audience and obtain such strong confidence in who he is?

1. Transformation equals time.
   A true, lasting transformation can not happen overnight. Patience is what feeds transformation. Justin Timberlake has tenure. He’s worked on his precise craft for over 20 years. (and yes, if you’ve ever been to one of his shows, you know that it is sincerely a true craft.) He allowed time to pass, erasing the debris of his blonde curls and leaving a blank canvas for him to fill. Time is the best eraser in life. And while it may not completely erase everything, it has the ability to leave a thin pencil line of nostalgia, just enough to paint right over the markings.
2. Transformation is not just making it, it’s becoming it.
   It’s arguably been said that the pivotal point for JT’s career was the release of his song, SexyBack. Why? Because that’s when he became it. He busted through the doors with a much more sophisticated look with confident lyrics to match. That’s what makes fashion, style and confidence so alluring—they are the tools of transformation. They make us into the person we want to become. When you look the part on the outside, you become the part on the inside. Was JT actually more confident at that time of his career? Who knows? It doesn’t matter. He played the role and perception became reality. So if you are seeking to change something about yourself, don’t just try it, become it. Bust through those doors.
3. Transformation is a smoother process when you have an army behind you.
   Justin Timberlake has a fierce rally behind him, a mix of both old and new fans. He’s made himself relatable and relevant to people of all sorts of ages. Through the numerous SNL skits and other hilarious bits across a span of time (again, refer to #1, listed above), he’s walked away from his old identity to introduce a more light-hearted and damn funny identity. He’s proven the versatility of his talent, creating a broader audience and community of people who support him—even if they didn’t support him before. Make yourself accountable—tell about the commitment of your transformation to people who will have your back. They will help carry your message forward.

Transformation only happens if you are willing to go all the way. As human beings, we all have multiple identities and ever-changing desires within us. As we grow, we are called to evolve and embrace a new part of ourselves. But to accept this calling and fully transform, we must keep moving forward, press on, and allow time and patience to do the rest. We must sacrifice an old identity to make space for a new one.

But JT wouldn’t be who he is today if it wasn’t for his time with *NSync. We wouldn’t be able to learn and grow into who we are today unless it wasn’t for our past experiences. You need Point A to get to Point B. That’s what makes transformation so beautiful, you get to witness this growth and change as it is happening. Transformation is in the moment.

Transformation is now.