3 Myths We Believe About Personal Growth
When it comes to personal growth, some common myths we have come to believe are not true, yet we subconsciously have bought into them and even rely on them for our growth. The problem is they are not true; they are excuses that will stunt our potential the longer we buy into them.
Many people are asking, “How do I grow to my maximum potential?” So let’s destroy some personal growth myths, so you don’t fall victim to them.
Here are three myths many people subscribe to:
1) Over time, I will get better
Many believe that they will one day become great if given enough time. It’s the belief that we will somehow arrive at a place of productive bliss just because time has passed on the clock. The only problem with this is that time alone doesn’t bring success; in fact, time comes alone. It’s what we do with the time we have been given that makes the difference. Growth doesn’t happen automatically; it must be intentional. Time does nothing to make us wiser unless we utilize the time we have been given and apply ourselves. Don’t fall victim to waiting for time to open up more doors of growth and opportunity without your specific effort.
2) The more experiences I have, the better I will be
A very common myth is that experience is the best teacher. But experience is not the best teacher. Just because we go through something does not necessarily mean we come out better on the other side. The best teacher is educated experience, meaning you learned something through your experience. Every experience brings with it a seed of wisdom, but we must extract the seed, plant it, and water it with reflective thinking. Reflecting upon the lessons we’ve learned through our experience will educate us, making us better on the other side. It’s not what we go through that shapes us; it’s what we grow through that truly shapes us. Never waste an experience, good or bad, by failing to learn something from it. Everything that happens to us can be a lesson for our future growth. What you experience today can give you the boost for what you need tomorrow.
3) I need someone who will make sure I grow
Though we all need mentors and coaches, we will never grow unless we truly want to. One cannot be forced to grow; it must come from a desire within. As the ancient saying goes, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” We will never reach our full potential if we rely upon someone else to grow us. Our potential doesn’t exist in someone else; it only exists within ourselves. No one can make us grow; it must become a commitment we hold to every day. If you are waiting for a great leader to turn you into a great leader, you will be waiting for most of your life. Stop waiting for someone to motivate you, inspire you, and shape you…you must get invested in yourself. Abraham Lincoln said, “You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.”
Get intentional about your growth plan, and you’ll start to expedite your potential.
If you are unsure how to create an intentional growth plan, check out this podcast I did, How To Create A Leadership Growth Plan.
