Personal Growth

For a discussion at the 9/27/08 CCV Men - Breakfast meeting a condensation of the Chapter titled ‘Today’s Growth gives me Potential’ in the book ‘Today Matters’ by John Maxwell.

·Introduction

You will never change you life, until you change something you do daily.

Success or failure doesn’t occur naturally. Each is a process.

‘Hell begins on that day when God grants us a clear vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts we wasted, of all that we might have done that we did not do’. - Gian Carlo Menotti

Other Chapters in the book deal with attitude, health, thinking, finances, faith, values and growth.

·Misconceptions About Growth

What is growth? A quote from Robert Louis Stevenson identifies it: ‘To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life’.

One reason people don’t become all they are capable of becoming is their misunderstanding of growth:

They think growth is automatic. We think our bodies and our minds will take care of themselves. The truth is if we don’t take responsibility for our growth it won’t happen. When it comes to potential, you must tap into it to make it growth.

They think growth comes from information. The greatest obstacle to growth is not ignorance. It’s the illusion of knowledge. Life change is the proper measure of whether information makes a difference.

They think growth comes with experience. ‘To improve your aim improve yourself’ (Gilbert Arland). Experience is good only if it’s reflected on and one learns from both his mistakes and successes.


· Why Growth Matters Today

No one wants to look back at life and see time and opportunities wasted.

Four specific reasons why growth matters today:

·Gifting without growth leads to ineffectiveness.

If you draw on your talent but never add to it or sharpen it, you’re headed for trouble, because nobody is that talented. But when you place a premium on growth, you take whatever talent you have and you increase it. That not only raises your effectiveness today, but it makes your talent greater so that you can be effective tomorrow.

·Growth prevents personal and professional stagnation

Have you ever felt that you were just stuck in some aspect of your life – your career, your relationships? Or you hit a plateau in your health? What a lot of people do is to make external changes – different job, leave their spouse, give up exercising. External change relieves symptoms.

The better solution is to pursue internal changes. Make personal growth your goal, then your focus is on changes you make on the inside…you become better equipped…you discover new ways…you find ways to improve…you gain potential.

·Your personal growth impacts your organization’s growth.

What is limiting your organization’s potential. Your greatest challenge is you. Many leaders are looking for a quick fix. If you want to grow the organization you must grow the leader. ‘In order to do more, I’ve got to be more’ (Jim Rohn). If you aren’t growing you will be a lid on your organization’s growth.

·Only through continuous improvement can you reach your potential.




The Tartar tribes of central Asia speak a curse against their enemies. ‘May you stay in one place forever’. If you don’t try to improve yourself every day, that could be your fate.


·Make the Decision to Seek and Experience Growth Daily

Decide to do something intentional or strategic to make yourself better. Read books, articles etc. Go to seminars. Listen to CD’s and watch DVD’s. Grow together with your spouse.

·Answer the question: What is my Potential?

The greatest handicap a person has is not realizing his / her potential. The gap between your vision and your present reality can only be filled through a commitment to maximize your potential.

·Make a Commitment to Change

‘To make something out of yourself, you need to be willing to change, for without change, there can be no growth’ (William Feather) If you truly want to grow, then commit yourself to not only accepting change, but seeking it.

·Set Growth Goals

Focus on growing in your areas of your greatest strength, not your weaknesses, And grow in the areas that will add value to you personally and professionally.

·Learn to Enjoy the Journey

Reexamine your priorities if the destination appeals to you but you don’t enjoy the journey.

·Put Yourself in a Growth Environment


Put yourself / someone in a place that encourages growth and you / they will expand to reach their potential.

·Managing the Discipline of Growth

Practice this discipline of growth: Every day I will grow on purpose with my plan. Grow with your spouse. Tailor your growth plan to your individual strengths and needs. One of the results of learning is that you realize how far you still need to go, and the more you learn, the hungrier you become.

·Embrace the Disciplines of Growth

·Make it Your Goal to Grow in Some Way Every Day

If we desire to improve a little every day and plan it that way, then we can make great progress over the long haul. Inch by inch everything is a cinch.

·Have a Time and Plan to Grow

‘If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that subject’ (Earl Nighingale). To make your growth intentional, strategic and effective, you need to think it through and plan it well.

Part of John Maxwell’s Plan for Growth
Listen to Audio lessons every week
Read Two Books Every Month
Meet with someone who can help you grow every month


·File what you learn.

..it will keep you more highly focused, force you to evaluate what you are reading and help you to bypass the junk and go for the good stuff that will stimulate you and help you grow.

·Apply What You Learn


Often the most difficult part of the upward climb of growth is putting into practice what you learn. The final test of any learning is always application.


·To Do (My Thoughts)

Read the Book
Develop a Plan
Be Intentional
Read and Study
Remember it’s quality not quantity
Start Meeting with an Accountability Partner