Growth is an essential part of life and of nature in general. Growing is natural. Without growth, life could become boring, we would stagnate. Growth is natural, growth is life, it’s motivating.
Personal and financial growth are not easy – they both require effort and courage. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of growth and offer you some tips on how you can grow in life. I highly encourage each and everyone of you to “imagineer your best life possible” and strive for continuous growth and improvement in the direction of your dreams!
Trust me, it’s worth it.
There are many things you can do to growth in life.
Let’s explore!
How do Lobsters Grow?
Do you know how lobsters grow?
This is a highly interesting and relevant questions for us humans as well.
Lobsters are soft, vulnerable animals that live inside a rigid shell. That rigid shell is not able to expand. As a lobster grows, that shell becomes very confining and highly uncomfortable. Lobsters will eventually reach a growth limit preset by the size of their shell!
When the pressure gets unbearable, the lobster goes under a rock to hide itself from predatory fish, casts off the shell and produces a new, bigger one.
Imagine how courageous lobsters need to be to let go of what provided them shelter. They need to go through a short time of tremendous uncertainty before they can “pivot” into a larger self.
Eventually, that new shell will become uncomfortable again as lobsters keeps growing and the lobster repeats going under a rock once again. In a lifetime of a lobster, they repeat this numerous times.
Now imagine a human would feel confined, under pressure and uncomfortable. Most often they simply go to a doctor, get a pill, and take a rest. They might feel somewhat better in the short run, but the remedy might not do its job.
What’s the lesson here?
Times of stress are also times that are signals for growth. If you learn how to deal with adversity and find ways to overcome, you will be able to grow through adversity.
Another animal that needs to go through a tremendous amount of change is the caterpillars who will morph into a butterfly.
For growth to happen in our lives, we need space. Just like a lobster needs to let go of its shell, or the caterpillars needs to spread out its wings and fly away, we also need room for growth. This means that sometimes you might need to let go of things that are no longer serving you.
Every once in a while, we will reach a pivot point in life.
To grow through it, we need to take a leap.
It’s not easy, but it is worth it.
How do Humans Grow?
Personal growth is uncomfortable and can be scary. It’s worth it though, because growth allows us to experience more of what life has to offer. You have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices if you want to achieve something great.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Think first in what direction you’d like to grow, take aim. Then go and learn new skills, languages, travel, explore, read more, and experience new things. These are all great ways to grow.
If you want to grow, never be afraid of making mistakes. Fail more! It’s okay to fail as long as you learn from your mistakes and continue moving forward. Don’t give up on yourself or your dreams just because it’s hard – keep pushing through no matter what obstacles come your way!
Tackle obstacles one at a time.
Let your dreams take flight!
Growth Tips
Growth is natural and a fact of life. Personal development may be the most effective approach to realize a better existence. The goal of maximum pleasure isn’t to be at your best; there is an optimum that you should strive for. Make this your aim in growth. Optimize for happiness and fulfilment.
Here at last, a comprehensive list of life hacks to assist you in growing!
Imagineer your Dream Life
Since this is all about you, I highly recommend to take some time to listen to yourself before you begin; don’t rush through this. Some people are excellent at this, while others struggle. I strongly advise establishing some quiet time in your daily routine.
For me taking a walk, a hike through the woods or dipping the jacuzzi are the best ways. Learn to talk with yourself: Meet your inner genius! You might be surprised how many answers to some of your questions he/ she knows.
Trust me.
For more reflection, have a happy round with beer or wine with good friends.
The goal is to tap into and conquer your innermost thoughts and ideas in a structured way.
This will be your starting point, it helps you create and live a better life.
Thougts, feelings and dreams are elusive and sometimes difficult to catch; figure ways to capture them that work for you.
For me, journaling down ideas, thoughts and dreams helped me the most. I keep “dreamcatcher” files on my cellphone, in paper form and on my computer. Every once in a while, I bring them together and summarize them into my master file.
This is your idea map.
The plan to get started growing and imagineering your dream life.
Have a Plan
Having your ideas, thoughts and dreams written down enables you to look at your “idea map” and reflect. Are there any low hanging fruits, easy stuff that would help you tremendously? Stuff that might need more time? Are there some completely crazy things? Don’t worry: Crazy is good!
Prioritize, what’s the most urgent or important?
Start with the end in mind. What do you want your life to look like? How would you like to feel on a daily basis? This is your ideal vision?
From this place, it becomes easier to see what growth steps will take you closer to your goal.
If you have too many ideas: If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a clear no for now.
Start there, get direction, take aim!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Make a plan for it.
It’s your life!
Before we continue here, if your plan doesn’t work:
Change your plan, not your goals!
Since 2006 my wife and I have the habit to plan our future, 5 years at a time. As 2021 has come to an end, 2022 is the year we will plan our next 5 years.
Read more here how we do these plans.
Aim High
It’s not easy aiming high, but it’s worth it! So aim high and don’t be afraid of making mistakes along the way – as long as you learn from them and continue moving forward!
Always aim for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land amongst the stars.
Understand the price and the value.
Everything in life has a price, nothing comes for free.
There’s no dream too big and no goal to hard to achieve!
Measure
It is helpful to have a plan of action and make growth steps that are measurable. This will help you stay on track, focused and accountable; it’s a lot easier when we can see our progress.
Some things might be:
- learn new skill X in next week
- read one chapter per day from book Y
- learn public speaking, give a presentation or a speech in front of 100 people
Ideas without deadlines are dreams.
Deadlines without ideas are nightmares.
Know what to measure and give yourself a time frame to get stuff done.
Measurement breeds motivation!
Growth Mindset
There are two kinds of mindsets in this world. Fixed and growth. A growth mindset is always open to learning, challenging themselves and taking on new tasks or projects. They see failure as a way to learn and grow; it’s not the end of the world.
In order for personal growth to happen, we need a growth mindset!
Start with these few things: be curious, embrace uncertainty, be comfortable being a beginner, take risks and persist.
There are so many things in life we can’t control, our mindset is one thing we got to take ownership of: It’s ours for the taking!
Believe in yourself, grow your confidence and take responsibility for your life and future.
Read more here about rich and poor mindset.
Improve Daily
If you try to improve yourself by simply 1% day over day, you’d be surprised where you’d end up after a year! It’s the law of compounding.
It’s simple, but not easy.
Everyday we are faced with choices, what will you choose today that will move you closer to your growth goals?
Growth hack: Learn how to algin your daily choices with your long term goals.
Keep compounding with 1% better every day, stay consistent, this will seperate you from the bulk of any potential competition you may face.
Learn
Learn new things, new activities, new skills, new languages.
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Read more, travel to new places, experience different cultures, eat foods you’ve never tried, understand other ways of life, talk to strangers, make new friends and try to understand their thoughts. Listen more than you talk.
If you’ve got the feeling you’re always the smartest person in the room, you might simply be in the wrong room. But beware, there are different “smarts” in this world: Street smarts vs. book smarts, generalists vs. specialists, thinkers vs. doers. Embrace them all. There might be scholars who have a problem for every solution and doers who solve big problems one solution at a time!
Doing all this will
- improve your toolset to shape your dream life
- expand your circle and comfort zone
- increase your confidence
- increase your options
Experiences is where it’s at. Do more. See more. Feel more.
The more you learn, the more growth potential you have.
If you plan to financially imagineer your life, learn more about financial literacy here.
It’s a never ending journey that’s for sure!
But it’s so rewarding in itself.
Bonus tip:
The best way to learn is to teach.
When we teach others we learn twice as much.
Pay it forward.
Make Space for Growth
In order to grow, you need space. Just like a lobster needs to let go of its shell or the caterpillars needs to spread out its wings and fly away, we also need room for growth. This means that sometimes you might need to let go of things that are no longer serving your onwards journey.
Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.
Only if you let go of who you where and what you did can you grow into who you meant to become and what you could do. Every next growth step will be different from your last one. Through life you’ll keep changing!
So, how to make space?
Have the courage to clean up your life and quit stuff that doesn’t support your onwards journey.
Build capacity.
Make space.
Make time.
Change!
Freedom to pursue!
Fail More: Dare to Grow
Everything in life has a price, nothing comes for free. Conquering your fear is usually the price tag something bigger, better and new is going to “cost” you.
We tend to avoid failure like the plague, but in order to grow, we got to take action. Whenever you take action, you run the risk of making mistakes.
Don’t be afraid and face your fears; be courageous, try to resolve and grow beyond, however uncomfortable or unpleasant they may be.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas Edison
Failing means you’re trying, it’s a step in the right direction!
It’s impossible to growth and improve if you don’t fail.
Be comfortable failing more.
Facing fear is essential.
Fail forward.
Embrace it.
Get yourself marshmallow tested!
Your best possible life lies beyond fear.
This is essential for growth, as it’s how we learn by doing and become better!
Get Feedback
It’s important to get feedback from people who know and care about you.
This will help increase growth accountability and provide valuable insights.
Don’t be shy, ask for feedback!
Start
The most important thing is to get started. Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” It’ll never come. Just do it! And don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. There are plenty of people out there who are willing and able to help.
There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t know something and need guidance from someone else. Take this as an opportunity and try to learn from the best. We all have different areas of expertise, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help!
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Just do it.
Habits
Once your growth train has left the station, you need to make sure your growth engine stays fueled.
What better way than by establishing growth habits?
A growth habit is something you do on a regular basis that helps you move closer towards your goals.
No matter whether is reading, writing, practicing a skill, meditating, being in nature, working out or whatever it may be, the key is to make it sticky in your life.
Habits need about 2 months to become a part of your daily routine, so be patient and consistent! The tip of how you can actively let a habit become part of the “new you” is to track yourself.
Get an app. Do a spreadsheet. Mark your new activities on a calendar every day.
Do this as long as it takes for them to become part of your new growth life.
Motivation
Motivation, like bathing don’t last. That’s why I recommend them on a daily basis!
You know yourself the best, hence, you also know the best what you like and what motivates you. The better you understand this part of yourself, the more you can design your growth life around it.
Experiment with different things and find out what works for you!
I love reading in bed, listening to podcasts while driving, walking or taking a bath. I love to meditate and “beerstorm” in my jacuzzi with friends. These are all like intentional building blocks of constantly imagineering my new life.
What works for you might not work for others.
Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Don’t give up, have grit, keep going.
The bigger your goals, the longer you got to stay motivated.
Create a motivational framework tailored for yourself that withholds a storm.
“I am not a failure because I have failed, I am a failure because I have given up.”
Denis Waitley
Conclusion
Personal growth is essential for a happy and fulfilled life. It’s a never ending journey, but it’s so rewarding in itself. Embrace growth, take risks, imagineer your dream life and improve every day!
Don’t just go through life, grow through it!
Screw surviving, it’s time to thrive.
What are your biggest growth challenges? Let me know in the comments or reach out on Twitter, Facebook or by email!
Thanks for reading.
Adventure awaits!
Matt
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Thanks for a detailed and meaningful personal growth guide. “Everything in life has a price, nothing comes for free.” Absolutely agreed. Roadblocks are always there in life especially time constraints in managing multiple tasks and people with different expectations. Still finding my motivation in life but only holding on to “don’t give up, have grit, keep going”.
Thank you for such a beautiful articulated article. Some things in life are really essential as you mentioned. Having a plan, a growth mindset, and aiming high resonates with my way of perceiving things too. I was wondering if you could have bulleted the key takeaways in the last part of the conclusion. Having motivation clearly defines your life. Keep writing such good pieces.
A very good metaphor for human growth to use the example of a lobster. People need to make plans to grow and take on challenging tasks, not only once, but over and over again.
I recommend the article to everyone who wants to grow in their personal and professional lives.