APRIL 28, 2023
Are you growing? If you are not, then you are dying. (Where have you heard that before?) Too many of us assume we will automatically grow if we just hang around and watch other people. Yes, you may find some “Accidental Growth.” But why not try more “Intentional Growth,” by dusting off your goals and getting in the game of life. Try being more intentional in growing (or at least strengthening) you body, mind, and spirit. It will impact your soul.
Most of us have no idea how to grow. The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that will never actually do it. Plus, too many of us don’t act because we are afraid of making mistakes. What is a mistake to you, may be the first step to others. Being self-aware will help you decide which path to take. Pick a lane, but don’t succumb to the GAPS that hold us back from growing. See if any of these GAPS resonate with you.
- The Perfection Gap: I must find the best way. As we strive toward perfection, there are times that we are going to “blow-it.” “Perfection isn’t the goal. Excellence is.” Your competition is the person you were yesterday. Are you going to beat them today? I hope so.
- The Inspiration Gap: “But I don’t feel like doing it.” JUST DO IT! “Be a winner and not a whiner.”
- The Comparison Gap: “Others are better than me.” Don’t compete and compare. COMPLETE!
- The Expectation Gap: “I thought it would be easier.” Life is hard. But life is still good. Remember, expectations will kill us.
I love thinking about my daughter Tory growing up as a child. She was notorious for carrying around her “blanky.” The blanket would go everywhere with her and even got “picked on” (The blanket) which created a whole bunch of fuzz balls which were strategically placed throughout our home. At one time or another, we all have carried around our own “Security Blankets,” pacifiers, or anything that protected us from harm. It was comfortable and made us feel secure. But if you think about it, some of us never outgrow those comfortable artifacts of life that keep us safe and secure. What is it that you still cling to today that, if you got rid of it, may allow for some growth in your life? Is it a memory, a bad dream, or is it something tactile that we carry around with us daily? (Love you Tory as you have taught your children well.)
Growth happens right outside our comfort zone. To move towards what we are capable of being, we need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is where we need some courage and wisdom to move. “Win or “Learn” might be your mantra, and by learning, we WIN. Don’t worry about failure. Be willing to do whatever it takes (morally) for as long as it takes, even if it takes a lifetime. Trust yourself and others. Have the courage to enter the unknown with a “Can-Do” spirit.
If you are serious about growth, both personally and professionally, you may want to check out the “Old Masters.” I love Lou Holtz. The old “Coach” is a wise and humble servant who has had an unbelievable career of impacting many. Holtz shares that there are four types of people in this world:
- Cop outs: These are people who don’t even try. “I can’t do this because society is against me.” The competition is too tough.” “Life is just too hard.”
- Holdouts: “I think I can do it, but I am going to wait until someone else does it first.” “When it becomes easy, then I will do it.” These people are followers.
- Drop-outs: These are people who start with great enthusiasm but end up getting knocked down, so they just QUIT. They then become followers.
- All-outs: No matter what happens, these people make an all-out effort in any situation. No matter what obstacles are thrown in their path, they keep their sights on the goal or objective. They don’t look for a bail-out. They prepare. Then they act. These people are your leaders.
Where do you stand in your own growth?
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day; “What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.