Personal Growth
Personal growth is “An awareness of the reality that there will be life beyond the immediate, and has to be prepared for. The knowledge that the future is coming whether you want it to or not.”
Last time, we talked about how Hutar Growth Tuesdays can help you, and promised to give a few examples of what personal growth looks like. Let’s use this opportunity to contrast two individuals, one of which has an interest in growth, the other does not.
Personal growth requires initiative, and centers around acquiring the skills necessary for the future. Personal growth means you are thinking about tomorrow, and following a plan to make it a successful future for yourself, and those around you.
The Story of Able Adam
Able Adam is concerned about the future. He recognizes that his work life may encompass another 30, 40 or 50 years in the workforce. He plans ahead to make sure he is ready for those years, and the years after. He receives a paycheck today- but he doesn’t spend the whole thing. He pays himself first by taking 10% out of each paycheck to save for the future. Money may not always come this easily, and he guards against this by keeping 10% of his pay away from his daily activities, because he WILL need this for the future.
Able Adam also has a plan; he knows opportunity will become more scarce in the future, so he builds his skills and knowledge today, so that he’ll be more prepared to survive stronger competition in the future. He is aware of what he has to do, and follows through. Able companies like to keep people like Able Adam employed; they create value for the company. Able Adam knows this, and becomes the person he needs to be to create value for the company. He does this by doing more than he is paid for. He has a positive mental attitude, and is preparing himself for new opportunities in the future.
Able Adam is always looking to be a better, more marketable person than he was a week before.
Where do you think Able Adam will be in five years?
The Tragedy of Mediocre Mac
Let’s contrast this with Able Adam’s counterpart, Mediocre Mac. Mac is satisfied with the status quo. He works to live, and his inspiration is the fun activity he has planned for the upcoming weekend. Though he may be qualified for the position he has, he does not put forth any effort increase his skillset in case employment becomes more competitive. He takes little pride in his work, or his future. His life is “good enough for now,” and he usually blows his paycheck just as he receives his next one. He may have bills he cannot pay, and will be facing bill-collectors’ harassment. He has no savings, and may even be accumulating debt, which is robbing his future of prosperity, success and the good life.
Mediocre Mac does not use the experiences of previous generations, and may let history repeat itself. He is not concerned with how his parents or grandparents lived, nor does he try to follow their example (or correct their example, in some cases).
Where will Mediocre Mac be in five years?
The good news is that if you identify more with Mac than with Adam, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR PATH TODAY! Plan some activities that will increase your skillset, and make yourself a more valuable employee. Start paying yourself first– try to take 10% of your paycheck and put it away. If you cannot do this right now, work up to it. Maybe 5% of your paycheck is your next daily victory. An additional 5% will be your victory next week. Take pride in your work, and do it with excellence. Get rid of your debt, and start saving for your future instead of borrowing from it. Learn new, marketable skills each week. Get involved with Hutar Growth Tuesdays, answer the reflection questions at the end each time, and ACT ON THEM. How much did you grow since the last H.G. Tuesday?
There are always opportunities- however they will be FEWER, and harder to find due to increasing global competiton. They will require higher levels of skill, talent, dedication, and fortitude. Are you ready? Able Adam is. He knows there are always opportunities for those who plan ahead.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you identify more with Able Adam or Mediocre Mac? Why?
- What is your plan for the future? How will you guarantee your success?
- Do you consider personal growth an integral part of your Outstanding Success Plan?
