“Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead.” ―Morihei Ueshiba
I don’t think I fully agree with Morihei but he does have a point. Remember for a moment, the last time you accomplished something that before seemed impossible or out of reach, as you remember, get a sense of that feeling…thats life, pure joy and it’s part of our nature – to learn and grow.
For me, the alternative isn’t death, it’s mundane – an endless monotony until all you’re left with is regrets and thoughts about what could have been.
You might agree that it’s not black and white but it is a choice and for the first time in human history many of us have a choice which our parents and their parents couldn’t have imagined.
The choice before us often comes down to a straight forward decision – to accept some level of discomfort as we push our boundaries and comfort-zones in exchange for feelings of true joy and the opportunity to craft a life we want to live.
In the words of Abraham Maslow,
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
I’m guessing that you’re reading this because you’ve chosen growth, or at least thinking about it. It’s a noble, human and beautiful decision but, before you set out, I’d like to invite you to consider which path you should be on.
Some questions to help you know your on the right path:
- What’s really missing in your life for it to be sensational?
- What’s that hole inside of you?
- What/who are you wanting to develop into?
- What do you think is on the other side of that development for you?
It’s possible your answers might be something around being just for the sake of growth, but it’s more likely they’re related to success.
The feelings of ‘success’ are wonderful, but here’s what I want you to really think hard about… who’s version of success are you measuring against?
I once heard it said that success is nothing more than achieving an arbitrary goal that you set for yourself or accepted from another.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
2 ways you can think about growth and personal development.
Horizontal. You can think of this in terms of skills and techniques. It’s about ‘doing’.
Vertical – You can think of this in terms of getting in touch with your higher self. Being happy in your own skin. It’s very much about ’Being’
What I’ve come to realise is that fulfilment requires both.
You might have noticed I’ve not once talked about ‘Having’.
This is what I want you to know… chasing ‘having’ goals is a race to the bottom, an invisible hamster wheel for your soul.
I don’t want you to think that I’m saying that stuff and money is wrong. I’m saying if you chase these things there will always be more to attain and you’ll never feel you have enough. I’m inviting you to consider that ‘Success in life is not something to be pursued. It’s something that happens because of the person you become.’
If you’re serious about personal development you need to get over the hurdle of investing in yourself. Consider the last time you levelled up without some form of investment.
Whoever you want to become, what I know about personal development is it requires us to accept who we are and where we’re currently at, because it’s only when we accept who we really are can we do the work to become who we might be.
If you’re ready to do the work, why not schedule a conversation. No weird sales stuff. No arm twisting – just a conversation about the possibilities.
When you’re ready…
