Personal growth is a demanding process. Also, it’s time consuming. Hence, there must be a commitment to personal growth. For many, including me, it began with a shove, not a friendly nudge. So, why growth? And, why now?
The Essentials
For starters, here are five criteria to consider as you start down the path of personal and professional growth.
First – Who?
That is, who do I want to become? For example, I can define WHO in terms of a skill set, or a specific position or rank, or achievement of a degree/certification. Thus, I begin to envision who I would be once I reach this desired state. In short, begin with WHO!
Second – Why?
That is, why grow? Granted, reasons may vary. However, they could include the desire for professional accomplishment. Or, the need for self-actualization due to the nagging fear that I’m not reaching my potential.
Unfortunately, for some, it’s just plain envy as they watch co-workers around them succeed. For others, they’re in a new position and realize they must grow rapidly in capacity and skill set in order to survive.
Now, you can certainly think of other reasons to start growing personally and professionally.
Third – Where?
As in, where should I start? Thus, in which aspect of my life do I want to grow?
Certainly, professional development certainly is on the top of many leader’s list.
However, personal growth can be critical when I recognize gaps in family relationships that need to be addressed. Similarly, some have a deep desire for spiritual growth.
Regardless of the life aspect chosen, I should identify an end state that becomes a goal for my growth. For many, that goal is stated in the form of a personal mission statement.
Fourth – What?
As in, what do I do to determine where I currently stand? Well, at this point we start taking assessment tests to measure our personality, strengths, weaknesses, decision style, emotional intelligence … you name it. These assessments establish that baseline from which we grow.
In addition, we can get feedback from mentors, peers, and superiors. For instance, “What” could be a topic of discussion during an annual performance review.
Fifth, How?
Ok, but how can I grow? At this stage, I begin to look for coaches. And, for seminars. Or, read books and complete online courses.
In short, I find resources that will move me forward on a path to growth. Moreover, as I engage with these resources for growth, I’ll begin to think deeply and critically about each of the prior questions.
Therefore, reflection and critical thinking is an important aspect of using the resources I select.
The Role of Critical Thinking
What follows are three suggestions related to critical thinking. They’re based on this blog, which focuses on personal growth and leadership. And, the foundation for the blog is the book of Proverbs.
In short, I must think crucially about:
Myself as a Person, Proverbs 14.8. Why? Because critical thinking builds my self-awareness and reduces self-deception. As a result, I more clearly know who I am. Hence, I’m being proactive because I’m responsible for my life outcomes.
The End Point, Proverbs 22.3. Unsurprisingly, critical thinking produces foresight. Then, I see where I’m going with my growth. In other words, I begin with the end in mind.
A Path Forward, Proverbs 14.15. Critical thinking discerns or recognizes a way forward. Thus, I have a clear path toward the goal. Consequently, I take the next step. As such, I’m careful to make first things first.
The Role of Persistent Execution
So, in terms of Covey’s 7 Habits, you’ve certainly recognized Habits 1, 2, and 3 in the prior list from Proverbs! But, regardless of the source, we must:
1). Identify an area of career or life focus
2). Carefully consider options, then
3). Be persistent in pursuit of that goal.
That said, here’s a simple framework for goal execution that’s borrowed from the wisdom literature:
First, focus on the goal you’ve set by looking straight ahead. Proverbs 4.25
Then, use careful deliberation as to how you will reach that goal. Proverbs 4.26
Finally, be very persistent in execution of actions toward reaching the goal. Don’t get off into the weeds of distraction. Proverbs 4.27
Ok, but will I change?
Now, eventually, I become discontented about my current state. As such, those concerns may be questions I ask myself. Ha, assuming I am actually taking time to reflect!
For example, a search on “move out of my comfort zone” produces hundreds of links to books, articles, videos, images with inspirational quotes, and other growth resources.
Basically, we all have the same desired outcome. That is, to recognize discomfort or loss (e.g., job loss) as a stimulus for growth. Unsurprisingly, this subject appears regularly as a topic on various LinkedIn posts.
Remember, “can I change” is a very different question from “will I change.”
Given the available resources, “Can” is a given. Unfortunately, “will” requires that I leave my comfort zone if I am to experience personal growth.
One reason I don’t act on uncomfortable life situations is I’m too busy being the victim while not busy enough being proactive! proverbsforprofessionals.net
My Commitment to Personal Growth
As expected, I completed employer-provided professional development opportunities throughout my career. As an academic, my interest in taking on an administrative role pushed me further into personal and professional growth.
However, an incentive to grow came when I was passed over for a promotion. Why? Well, when I reached out to the hiring manager the answer was “…we want to go in a different direction…”
That said, I did respond to the suggestion that I become more externally oriented. For example, though board service in a volunteer organization. Actually, it was a great opportunity to build both interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, I identified and used several resources to assist in my own professional development.
Personal development resources
For one, I worked with a senior executive to take stock of where I was at that point in my career. To my surprise, he referred to me as a “diamond in the rough” during one of our one-on-one counseling sessions. Therefore, it became apparent to me that I had room for improvement – beyond where I perceived I was professionally at the time!
Another critical resource was a one-year fellowship through the American Council on Education (ACE) that was extremely valuable to my professional growth.
In addition, my superiors made possible several challenging, interim administrative roles that expanded my professional capabilities.
The eventual outcome
Several years later, I was offered the opportunity to take on the role that I had been passed on earlier. Thus, my personal story was one of delay but eventual accomplishment of a deeply desired career goal.
My growth was both personal and professional.
On the personal side, I worked hard to improve self and social awareness, as well as my interpersonal and communication skills. Then, on the professional side, I stayed active in an accreditation organization for business schools. In parallel, I was growing in my knowledge of higher education administration.
In my role as dean, it was very satisfying to me to find the human and financial resources that assisted our business school in growing both numerically and in the quality of our graduates. Our national rankings were a testament to the capabilities and efforts of our faculty, students, and staff members.
My personal and professional growth required that I move out of my comfort zone to a different place, over time, by making deliberate and difficult choices. proverbsforprofessionals.net
The Bottom Line
Remember, it’s not enough to be unhappy with my current state of life or career. It’s better, but insufficient, to have a vision for my future.
In addition, efforts at evaluation and personal growth are great. But, again, they’re simply not enough.
Instead, I must ask: What’s the next step I need to take toward my desired state?
Then, when will I push myself out of the comfort zone of self-awareness.
Also, when will I push into the uncomfortable area of personal and professional growth?
If my answer is “No,” then I should shut up. Why? Because, if I’m not willing to take on the discomfort of growth I risk staying exactly where I am – forever!
But, if “Yes,” then I should show up and step out through a commitment to personal growth!
NOTE: An earlier version of this post appeared as a LinkedIn article that is available here, off my personal LinkedIn page.