push the boundaries

We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.” 
― Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Growth requires that you push yourself beyond the boundaries you have become comfortable with. It’s a new year, perhaps you have some goals that you’d like to focus on. Do those goals push you beyond what you have done before?

If you haven’t developed a set of personal goals or professional goals now is the time to create some. What are some things you could do to enhance your life?

1. How do you want to grow as a person?
2. How do you want to grow as a professional?

Thing big, Think bigger.

Find the thing within you that inspires and motivates you and then do something with that inspiration. Make something new. Make something happen. Start today.

your plan for growth

“There is no condition so severe that you cannot reverse it
by choosing different thoughts. However, choosing different
thoughts requires focus and practise. If you continue to focus
as you have been, to think as you have been, and to believe
as you have been, then nothing in your experience will change”

~ from ‘Ask And It Is Given’ ~”
― Mary Ann Hickman

What is your growth plan?   You want more success, more significance, more of something and I’m asking you, how are you going to get that?   What is your plan for personal and professional growth.   Growth takes intention, intention to act and grow.

Top performers take time and invest in personal and professional growth.  To reach the level of top performance requires change.  It requires a change in ideas and knowledge.    What is your limit for personal growth?   Is it an hour a week or  an hour a month or is it an hour a day?

If you don’t have a plan then decide what area do you want to grow.   What abilities do you have that you are really good at?   What comes easy to you?   Choose a strength and improve that strength, develop that to a new level.

We only have so much time to develop our skills and working on weaknesses will only be able to upgrade your skills to average.    Average isn’t going to make a dent in the universe.   Developing in your strengths will propel you forward and allow you to make a larger contribution.   Excellence is what is going to allow you to achieve your greatest results.   What is it that you want to be excellent at?

Take some time and outline your personal and professional growth plan.   What strengths do you want to enhance?

To determine your strengths take this assessment (VIA Strengths).

Do it now.

 

high engagement

“Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement.”
― Daniel H. Pink

Do you work in an environment that wants your strengths, talents and abilities?  Do you work where you are expected to do as your are told?

Which work environment would get the most out of you?   The first one or the second one?

What gets you engaged in the work you are doing?

– The work

– The people

– The culture

– The environment

– The purpose and mission of the organization

– The values of the organization

– The perks and benefits

When you have a new idea, how it is received?    Does the culture bring in the voices of the introverts?   Does the culture promote professional development?  Does everyone contribute?   Do non-performers seem to hang around forever?    Are their systems in place to help employees perform at higher levels?    Does the company move quickly or does it take forever to get a new idea or process in place?   Is there a focus on being better?

A great organization is going to help you be successful.  Your part is to make the organization successful through the skills you have.   If the work is boring or isn’t adding value, why would you work there?   If you aren’t using your skills to your best ability then find out how you can make a bigger contribution.

Does the company “reward” employees and celebrate successes?  Are there reviews when things don’t work well to find out how to make things work better? That isn’t a witch hunt, it’s a sincere effort to improve processes and results.  Business growth is based on learning and people learn through experimentation and finding out what doesn’t work (some would call that failure).

What kind of company or organization do you work for?   Is it liberating the best from you on a consistent basis?   Are you growing and being challenged with new work?   What are you bringing to the table, is it your best?

Answer the questions.   Are you working to your full potential?  Do you love what you are doing?   Are you able to do what you love?   What is important to you?

Are you engaged in the work you do?