Developing the Leader within Ch: 10

The Importance of Personal Growth

• Personal growth is crucial as it determines one's capacity to lead, and development, expansion, and the future of leadership depend on it.

Why Growth Matters

• Growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow will get better, and it's not just about getting older, but getting better.
• The passing of time guarantees we will get older, but it doesn't guarantee we will get better.

Five Ways to Intentionally Not Act Old

• Ask Questions: remain inquisitive and interested in life.
• Keep the Bar of Excellence High: maintain high standards and avoid complacency.
• Be People-Centric: focus on others and avoid self-absorption.
• Be Posture-Conscious: maintain a positive physical and mental attitude.
• Remain Today-Focused: focus on the present and future, rather than dwelling on the past.

Growing and Hope

• Personal growth increases hope, and it's the firm belief in things that will be, rather than just wishing for things that might be.
• Hope isn't just about wishing for a better future, but about believing in it and taking action to achieve it.

A Growth Mind-Set

• A growth mind-set is the seed of hope, and it's about believing that growth is possible and committing to pursuing it.
• When we decide to believe in growth, hope begins to rise within us, and this change in focus is the first step towards a long and rewarding journey.

Strengthening Hope

• A growth habit strengthens hope, and it's about making growth a consistent part of our daily practice.
• When we practice the discipline of growing a little every day, we strengthen the hope inside us.

Realizing Hope

• Growth sustained over time realizes hope, and it's about taking small steps towards growth every day, which leads to progress and change.
• When we change ourselves, we can change our circumstances, and this begins a positive cycle of growth strengthening hope, and hope strengthening growth.

Growth Means Change

• Growth always requires change, and it's about being willing to surrender what's familiar and comfortable for what's new and unknown.
• The cost of change is often the great separator between those who grow and those who do not.

The Law of the Rubber Band

• The Law of the Rubber Band states that growth stops when we lose the tension between where we are and where we should be.
• Growth demands a temporary surrender of security, and it may mean giving up familiar patterns, safe work, and relationships that have lost their meaning.

The Importance of Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning

• Growth requires a willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn, and it's about being willing to drop bad habits, change wrong priorities, and embrace new ways of thinking.

The Difference between Goal Conscious and Growth Conscious

• Goal Conscious: focus is on a destination, motivates people, and is seasonal.
• Growth Conscious: focus is on the journey, matures people, and is lifelong.

The Law of Diminishing Intent

• The Law of Diminishing Intent states that the longer we wait to do something we should do now, the greater the odds that we will never do it.### The Power of Growth
• Outgrowing past expectations and relationships is a key part of personal growth, and it's never too late to start.
• The Law of Diminishing Intent states that the longer you wait to do something, the less likely you are to do it, so it's essential to start taking action towards your goals today.

Strategic Growth

• The most important project you'll ever take on is your own life, and planning your life is crucial to achieving success.
• Having a strategic plan in place helps to ensure that you're focusing on the right areas of growth and not wasting time.
• A strategic plan should include four key elements:
  • The Big Picture: Identifying areas for growth and focus.
  • Measurement: Tracking progress and measuring success.
  • Consistency: Making growth a daily habit.
  • Application: Putting learned knowledge into practice.

The Big Picture

• Identifying areas for growth and focus is essential to creating a strategic plan.
• Questions to ask yourself when creating your big picture include:
  • Where do I need to focus my growth?
  • What are my strengths and weaknesses?
  • What are my core values and goals?
  • What resources do I need to achieve my goals?

Measurement

• Measuring progress is crucial to tracking success and staying motivated.
• Questions to ask yourself when measuring progress include:
  • Who stretched me?
  • What stretched me?
  • What are my accomplishments and achievements?

Consistency

• Making growth a daily habit is essential to achieving success.
• Daily habits should include:
  • Prioritizing growth and making it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.
  • Seeking out opportunities for growth and learning.
  • Asking questions and seeking feedback from others.
  • Filing and tracking learned knowledge and ideas.

Application

• Putting learned knowledge into practice is essential to achieving growth.
• Questions to ask yourself when applying learned knowledge include:
  • Where can I use this knowledge?
  • When can I use this knowledge?
  • Who needs to know this?
  • How can I apply this knowledge to achieve my goals?

Growth is Joy

• Growth is more than just happiness, it's joy and fulfillment.
• Living a life of purpose and passion is essential to achieving joy and fulfillment.
• Key elements of a life of purpose and passion include:
  • Living your mission and values.
  • Making a difference in the lives of others.
  • Creating a legacy.
  • Continuously learning and growing.

The Journey of Growth

• The journey of growth is uphill and requires effort and dedication.
• It's essential to be intentional and proactive in pursuing growth.
• The journey of growth is a lifelong process, and it's essential to stay open and teachable.
• Key elements of the journey of growth include:
  • Making personal growth a daily habit.
  • Developing a learner's mindset.
  • Adopting a specific growth strategy.
  • Continuously reassessing and adjusting your growth plan.

Developing the Leader Within You

• Developing the leader within you is a lifelong process that requires continuous learning and growth.
• Key elements of developing the leader within you include:
  • Adopting a learner's mindset.
  • Developing a specific growth strategy.
  • Breaking down goals into daily habits.
  • Continuously reassessing and adjusting your growth plan.
  • Seeking out opportunities for growth and learning.
  • Putting learned knowledge into practice.