Growth Must Be Intentional
Potential is defined as having great power or influence. This power and influence is unlocked by personal growth. We must grow personally to reach our full potential. To get to where we want to go in life, personal development cannot be overlooked or postponed. Growth just doesn’t happen automatically…well, unless it’s the holidays and I don’t watch my eating habits.
When we were younger our learning was structured in school. We were tested to see if our skills were proficient enough in the current curriculum before we could move up a grade. This was the process every year. When we finished our schooling, the homework and tests stopped. Many times, so did our learning. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a college graduate say, “I don’t care if I never see another book in my life.”
The problem with that, is if we stop learning, we stop growing. Instead of working to get better and become all that we can be, we just get by. We need to do more than just experience life and hope to pick up some lessons along the way.
At some point, I had to ask myself these questions: Am I utilizing the gifts given to me by God to my fullest potential? I was born for a specific purpose and am I living up to what God thinks I can be? Some days the answer if definitely “no.” But personal growth doesn’t develop in a day–it develops daily. Every day is a do-over–it’s an opportunity to make myself better. Whew!
This week I challenge you to ask yourself those same questions. See what happens.
I challenged a lady to come to a small group that I was facilitating on the book by John Maxwell, Intentional Living. She gave the time and family excuses, but decided to come. Here is an email from her:
“I’m going to write a nice recommendation for you for Intentional Living when I get some time to put my thoughts together. But I am eager to tell you that my responsibilities have increased and my salary has ALOT! I no longer fight depression–I have given that fight to God. I can’t wait to see what the next mastermind group does to my life.”
Way to go, Girlfriend!
I have found, more often than not, your life gets better when you begin to grow intentionally. That’s what happened to me, too.
But don’t take my word for it–challenge yourself. How far can you go? Who can you become? I believe you may surprise yourself.
Do it!
Jan
“People are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves. Therefore, they remain bound.” James Allen “As a Man Thinketh”
Jan McDonald
John Maxwell Team
(still CEO of Life Options)
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