Key Takeaways for Personal Growth

I recently worked with a professional coach. 6-weeks of daily exercises, reflective homework, and candid discussions to explore + unpack it all. Here were some of the key takeaways: 1. Carving out time for you (to breathe, to reflect, to think) is important. And until you do it, no one is going to do it for you. 2. YOU are your biggest judge (and they're pretty well embedded in us all). Remember, you control what the blueprint you call "happiness" looks like. Don't let your internal judge run the show. 3. Developing self mastery is another form of embracing the belief that you can't control what happens in life, but you can control how you react to it. 4. Your values change over time (and some of the ones you think so highly of today may not actually be your core values when pressure tested). Figure out what these are. Behave in accordance with them if you want to feel fulfilled. 5. Leverage the "Yes... And..." approach. Simple? Yes. Effective at making you a better collaborator? Absolutely. 6. Write out your dreams (even the small ones) and begin checking them off.  Each time you check one off the list, you build momentum. And your thinking gets bigger. You start to realize you have so much more opportunity than you think you do. 7. When you start hearing yourself say things like “I SHOULD do that,” or "I HAVE to do that," those expectations generally don't come from us. They tend to come from somebody else and we internalize them. The language we use greatly influences our motivation to do that that thing. Aim for internal motivators wherever possible. 8. Your brain is a muscle. Take time to hone your brain and use it in concentrated spurts where you focus on just one thing. Build the mental muscle. 9. The “perfect person” that we all strive to be doesn't exist, but we all create one in our head. Many of us think that's a good thing because it gives us something to aim for, but what it actually does is provide a constant reminder that you will never reach that level. Be conscious of the ongoing expectations you set for yourself. Expectations are often resentments waiting to happen. 10. If you're facing a touch decision, try having a conversation with your "older, wiser self." Giving yourself the frame of 'looking back on' your life can provide the kind of distance to help you make more thoughtful decisions---especially for the big life things. Grateful to have an employer who offers an Employee Development benefit + grateful to Amy Bracht for being a thoughtful, engaging coach to work with. Friendly reminder that investing in yourself (your learning, your growth) is one of the best investments you can make.

"The degree to which a person can grow is directly proportional to the amount of truth they can accept about themself without running away." At the core of personal development is the ability to look inward and recognize our own shortcomings and areas for improvement. This introspection requires a level of honesty that many find a little uncomfortable. It's easier to blame external circumstances or others for our problems than to acknowledge our own role in them. However, growth begins with taking responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes. The truth about our limitations One of the hardest truths to accept is that we have limitations. These can be in the form of time, resources, skills, or emotional capacity. Recognizing these limitations doesn't mean resigning ourselves to them; rather, it's about understanding our current starting point. It's from this foundation of truth that we can start to push our boundaries and expand our capabilities. Learning from failure Failure is often seen as a negative outcome, something to be avoided at all costs. However, a truthful assessment of our failures can be one of the most powerful tools for growth. Each failure provides insights into what doesn't work, guiding us towards more effective strategies and approaches. The ability to accept and learn from failure without running away or making excuses is a hallmark of resilience and growth mindset. The power of feedback Feedback from others can be a valuable source of truth about ourselves that we might be blind to. While it can be difficult to hear criticism or suggestions for improvement, embracing this feedback is crucial for personal and professional development. It's important to seek out and listen to honest feedback, even if it challenges our self-perception or comfort. Actionable steps for embracing truth - Practice self-reflection: Regularly take time to reflect on your actions, decisions, and their outcomes. Be honest with yourself about what you could have done better. - Seek feedback: Actively ask for feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors. Approach this feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn. - Set growth-oriented goals: Create goals that challenge your current limitations and push you to grow. Use the truths you've discovered about yourself to inform these goals. - Embrace vulnerability: Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Acknowledging your fears and insecurities can be a powerful step towards overcoming them. - Learn from failure: View each failure as a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and how you can improve in the future. Conclusion The journey of growth is an ongoing process of confronting and embracing the truth about ourselves. By accepting the full truth of who we are, we unlock our potential to evolve beyond our current state. #motivation #productivity #selfgrowth

𝟯 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 - A universal truth about human behavior is that our thinking directly impacts our actions, and our actions drive our results. In moments of crisis, our ability to understand and choose how we think, feel, and act will determine our success. Developing an understanding of how we think about different situations and choosing to update that thinking when it does not serve our goals is critical for life and career success. 𝟭) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 If you believe that you have control over what happens, then you have an internal locus of control. If you believe that you have no control and external variables are to blame, then you have an external locus of control. When you believe that your actions do not matter, you will ignore potential opportunities for improvement and lose motivation to search for them. Believing that you have control over what happens to you increases your motivation to take action. The most successful among us – know that it is not the adversity itself but what we do with it that determines our fate.   𝟮) 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 Did you know that there are more than 70 identified cognitive biases that impact how we view situations? Combine this fact with our human tendency to think we see things just like a video recorder does and anyone who doesn’t see it our way must be misinformed or stupid. Understanding that our experiences, preferences, values, and goals can distort how we view and interpret situations should encourage us to seek other perspectives to gain a more accurate picture. 𝟯) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset, says people can be split into two categories when it comes to learning: 𝘍𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵 – A belief that one’s basic abilities, intelligence and talents are fixed traits. We either have it or we don’t, so there is no opportunity for growth or improvement. 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵 – A belief that intelligence can be developed, and effort is the key to ongoing development. Success becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and motivation is the key. If we believe there will be a positive payoff for our effort, we will work harder instead of succumbing to helplessness. Do you agree? Share your COMMENTS below. ⤵️   𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 🔔 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 | Tony Gambill   Subscribe to my ↗️ 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 ↗️, LinkedIn newsletter to join 47,173 others who receive biweekly practical tips for Self-Leadership and Leading Others: https://lnkd.in/dYRwgY96   #leadership #careers #humanresources #management

We’ve all heard it. “Work on your weaknesses.” But what if I told you that’s bad advice? Focusing on fixing your weaknesses is a waste of time. Here’s why. Instead of trying to improve something you’re not naturally good at… Double down on your strengths. Your strengths are what make you unique. And that’s where your real potential lies. Stop spending time on things that drain your energy. Focus on what lights you up. Here are some tips to make the shift. 1. Identify your strengths → Take a strengths assessment (like CliftonStrengths). → Ask for feedback from colleagues and friends. → Reflect on past successes—what skills did you use? 2. Stop wasting time on weaknesses → Set boundaries around tasks you struggle with. → Delegate when possible. → Focus on making your strengths even stronger. 3. Align your work with your strengths → Seek projects that match your skills. → Volunteer for tasks you excel at. → Be vocal about your strengths in meetings. 4. Partner with others who complement you → Find teammates who are strong where you are weak. → Collaborate to maximize combined strengths. → Learn just enough to communicate, but don’t stress mastering it. 5. Celebrate your unique skillset → Own what you’re good at without apology. → Use your strengths to add value. → Stop comparing your weaknesses to others’ strengths. 6. Set strength-based goals → Build your development plan around skills you excel in. → Aim to become an expert in your area of strength. → Track your progress and celebrate wins. 7. Reframe how you see weaknesses → View them as areas to manage, not fix. → Accept that no one is good at everything. → Shift your mindset: weaknesses don’t define you. 8. Take pride in your growth → Focus on how far you’ve come with your strengths. → Keep developing your talents. → Share your progress and inspire others. Strengths make you stand out. Weaknesses just hold you back. Stop trying to fix what’s not broken. Focus on becoming world-class at what you’re naturally great at. What’s one strength you’re going to focus on next? Drop it in the comments. ♻️ Repost to help others break free from the weakness trap. 😇 Follow me for more tips on leveraging your strengths.

Growth is a mindset, not a metric. But many confuse the two, focusing solely on numbers. How to shift your perspective? 3 strategies: ✔ Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, not just hurdles to overcome. Every setback is a lesson, every failure a stepping stone to success. It's about cultivating a mindset that sees growth in every experience, positive or negative. ✔ Prioritize learning over winning. Success is not just about the result but about the journey there. The skills you acquire, the knowledge you gain, and the person you become in the process truly matter. ✔ Foster resilience. Growth-minded individuals don't shy away from challenges; they thrive on them. They understand that resilience is built through overcoming obstacles, not avoiding them. Remember, growth is not just about reaching a destination. It's about the path you take, the lessons you learn, and the mindset you cultivate. Let's embrace a growth mindset and see where it takes us. I posted an image I created using only stock photos and Photoshop. No AI.

Embracing challenges can be daunting, but it is through these challenges that we truly grow and develop endurance. Instead of shying away from difficult situations, we should intentionally seek them out and approach them with a mindset of growth and learning. It's important to remember that growth and comfort do not coexist. Just like working out in the gym, we need to place ourselves in controlled stressful situations in order to grow personally and professionally. Whether it's public speaking, physical fitness, or career challenges, pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone is crucial for personal development. The Apostle Paul is a great example of someone who faced extreme adversity but continued to grow. Despite countless challenges, including imprisonment and physical ailments, Paul used these experiences as opportunities for growth and learning. I love the attitude of "embracing the suck" as mentioned by Marcus Luttrell, former Navy Seal and subject of “Lone Survivor,” at the beginning of his “Team Never Quit” podcast. It's a reminder that challenges are a natural part of life, and by facing them head-on, we can develop the endurance needed to keep pushing forward. Intentionally placing yourself in controlled stressful situations can lead to personal growth and endurance in several ways: 1. Building Resilience: By subjecting yourself to controlled stress, you train yourself to face adversity and develop resilience. This can help you bounce back more quickly from challenges in other areas of your life. 2. Improved Problem-Solving Skills: Stressful situations often require quick thinking and problem-solving. By intentionally placing yourself in these situations, you can enhance your ability to think on your feet and find solutions under pressure. 3. Increased Confidence: Overcoming stressful situations can boost your self-confidence and belief in your abilities. This can spill over into other areas of your life and help you take on new challenges with a positive mindset. 4. Greater Emotional Regulation: Exposure to controlled stress can also help you learn to manage your emotions and stay composed in difficult situations. This can lead to improved emotional intelligence and better relationships with others. 5. Enhanced Adaptability: By intentionally subjecting yourself to stress, you can become more adaptable and comfortable with uncertainty. This can help you thrive in unpredictable environments and navigate changes more effectively. Overall, intentionally placing yourself in controlled stressful situations can lead to personal growth and endurance by helping you develop important skills and traits that can serve you well in various aspects of your life.#personaldevelopment #growthmindset #challengeyourself

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐭. Research shows we often miss important information because it doesn't fit our expectations. Look at the picture for this post. Do you notice anything odd?  Perhaps you haven't noticed until now that the first card showing is a "black" 3 of "hearts" which should be "red". But here's the twist: that overlooked detail, like the black hearts, might represent a hidden opportunity in your business landscape. Here are three takeaways for entrepreneurs: 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 #𝟏: 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬. Curiosity and reflection are essential. By giving yourself the space to think, you can discover innovative ideas that aren't obvious to everyone else. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 #𝟐: 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬. Question everything. What you uncover could be the key to distinguishing yourself in a crowded market. Challenge your preconceptions and be ready to adapt based on new insights. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 #𝟑: People perceive what they expect to see. In your marketing, focus on connecting with their needs and desires, not just pushing what you want to sell. It's about making them see the value themselves. Keep these takeaways in mind and look beyond the obvious. Understanding how your mind works and training it to be more perceptive will make you more effective. Your next big opportunity could be hiding in plain sight, waiting for you to notice it. Reflect, stay curious, and connect meaningfully.

A tiny acorn doesn't try to mimic a towering oak; it embraces its potential and steadily grows its own strength. This simple analogy from nature holds a powerful message for professional development: Don't pretend to be someone you're not, instead, strive to become who you want to be. Here's the key: This isn't about pretense, it's about intentional growth. • Embrace your "acorn" stage: It's okay to be new, to learn, and to make mistakes. Everyone starts somewhere, and acknowledging your current skills sets the foundation for growth. • Visualize your "oak" potential: What do you aspire to achieve? Having a clear vision of your ideal future self provides a roadmap for your journey. • Seek the sunshine (and support): No acorn thrives in isolation. Mentors, colleagues, and training opportunities act like sunlight, nourishing your growth and helping you reach your full potential. Don't be afraid to ask for help! Remember, growth is a continuous process, just like the journey from acorn to mighty oak. Embrace the journey, own your potential, and seek support on the way. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve! #GrowthMindset #ProfessionalDevelopment #LifelongLearning ALT