Plants don’t grow by chance. They require the proper temperature, the right amount of sunlight, water, and specific nutrients. People are the same way. Even though we don’t need the exact same environment as plants (although a little sunlight never hurt anybody 😉), we do grow best under the right conditions.
So, what conditions do we need to become our best selves? Whether you’re starting a new routine, getting your business going, or trying to be a better person, it all starts with a solid foundation. And we’re here to help you succeed! Let’s dive into the details of what it takes to create a space that’s optimal for growth.
Change is good. Failure is progress.
Does the thought of getting uncomfortable make you feel a bit … well, uncomfortable? Good—cue the growth mindset (read all about it here)! The only way we ever make solid progress is by taking risks, failing a few times (or more), adjusting our plan, and getting back up to try again. It’s important to stop looking at failure as a be-all-end-all and start looking at it as an opportunity to improve.
You bombed a test? We bet you’ll study 10 times harder for the next one. You didn’t make the team? Time to get back to work to get better for your next opportunity. Inevitably, we all come across the occasional roadblock. Instead of letting those roadblocks stop you, choose to let them motivate you.
Seek inspiration.
Have you ever met someone who just makes you want to be better? Or maybe you haven’t met them—maybe you’ve read about them in a book or you listened to their podcast. We all need inspiring people who push us to be our best. And if you don’t currently have someone to fit this bill, find someone! (This post will help.)
Analyze the areas you want to improve and look for people who have the experience to point you in the right direction. For example, if you want to be a better soccer player, you probably wouldn’t seek experience from someone who’s never touched a soccer ball in their life, right? Here’s what it boils down to:
1. Get clear on your goals.
2. Find the people who can help you reach them.
Be disciplined.
You know what they say about goals without deadlines: They’re just wishes. It’s great to have people in your corner to hold you accountable to your goals. But the truth is, you won’t always have someone over your shoulder, telling you to get to work. That’s when self-discipline comes into play.
- Write down your goals and keep them in places where you can see them every day. Put post-its on your mirror to look at while you’re getting ready in the morning, or set up reminder notifications on your phone for times during the day when you feel sluggish!
- Remove temptations that could throw you off track. (Example: If you’re trying to eat healthier, don’t buy unhealthy foods at the store.)
- Eat the frog (wait, what?)! This means tackling your hardest tasks for the day, first. Yep, it’s a real thing. Learn about the frog technique here.
The “I’ll do it tomorrow” mentality is no joke. It’s so much easier to lay on the couch and binge Netflix™ than it is to get up and go after your goals. But growth can’t happen when we consistently put off the things that help us get better. So, dig in and get to work!
Now what?
Just because you’ve got all the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies, doesn’t mean they’re going to magically make themselves. The same is true when you’re creating a growth environment. You can have all the ingredients you need, but they won’t be useful if you leave them sitting in your pantry. Our final (and most important) step is to put your plan into action and get going on growing!
It’s important to remember, too, that a growth environment will never be perfect. (Seriously, never.) Look at the sidewalk the next time you’re walking down the street … those dandelions coming up through the concrete didn’t let their environment hold them back. They took what was offered, made the most of it, and used it to thrive—and so can you!
